The European research center for particle physics, CERN, has been working on the details of building a nuclear power plant based on the element thorium for years, and believes the theoretical problems are solved.
"What is needed now is political will and, not least, money," said Professor Jon Petter Omtvedt at the Institute for Nuclear Chemistry at the University of Oslo. "A prototype thorium power plant must be built before they can be built on a commercial basis. The day that thorium based power plants can be built on a commercial basis will revolutionize the world's power supply. Norway, one of the world's leading energy nations, should take on this task," Omtvedt said.
Thorium is more abundant than uranium, produces less waste and cannot melt down.
Pressing arguments
Omtvedt said that CERN research concludes that such a plant is possible, all that remains is to actually build the prototype. There are two powerful arguments for Norway taking the next step; Norway has the financial resources and is an energy nation that should be looking to find a safe and CO2-free new source.
Omtvedt sees a need to import scientists since Norway has neglected the development of domestic nuclear physicists in recent years, and with greenhouse gas emissions a growing problem, he wants the project started quickly.
It will work
Professor Egil Lillestøl at the University of Bergen has links to CERN, and is another proponent of thorium. Lillestøl told Aftenposten that Norway should exploit its position as a non-European Union member, arguing that the EU leans too heavily towards developing existing uranium-based reactors and so are not interested in novel, competing technology.
Lillestøl wants Norway's parliament to guarantee a prototype project, with a goal of a prototype being built in about ten years, after a study period of two to three years. Lillestøl envisages a prototype ready around the year 2020, with a cost of about NOK 5 billion (USD 805 million).
"There is no doubt that this will work. What we don't know exactly before we build the prototype is how much energy it will produce. We might get ten percent less than we expect from the beginning," Lillestøl said.
Counter-arguments
Environmental group Bellona remains a prominent skeptic to thorium-based energy in Norway. Nuclear physicist and Bellona member Nils Bøhmer believes that CERN researchers still have some issues to solve, primarily the question of corrosion problems that will occur when lead, which is a part of the process, is heated to 700C.
The problem of disposal of thorium waste is another thorny point, and the use of uranium-233, part of the production process in a thorium reactor, which can be used in nuclear weapon production is another troubling aspect according to Bøhmer.
"So to solve the problem with carbon dioxide emissions the world should instead bank on renewable energy sources alongside CO2 storage in connection with the production of fossil fuels," Bøhmer said.
