A molten salt reactor has been unveiled, developed by a British company which says it can offer a low-cost alternative to nuclear technology.
Energy company Moltex said its plans to have its first reactors operational by 2029 and that its 500 megawatt plants can be built in only two years.
Moltex, in Warrington, north-west England, said its salt reactor is a complement to wind and solar energy, and an energy-providing option cheaper than nuclear power.
The Moltex Flex, a molten reactor using salt as fuel and coolant, has no moving parts, the company said.
“We recognised the need for an energy supply that can support renewables when the sun doesn’t shine or the wind doesn’t blow," said chief executive David Landon. "In the Flex reactor, we have a solution for consumers and countries alike.”
The reactor can respond automatically to changes in energy demand — moving to idle or full power — to work in tandem with wind or solar power plants.
Moltex said it has the flexibility of gas-fired power stations without carbon emissions.
Energy production and independence has swung into focus this year as the war in Ukraine broke out and fears grew over the dwindling supply of gas from Russia. Energy prices had already been rapidly increasing, contributing to inflation across Europe.
A fourth gas leak has been found in the Nord Stream gas pipelines in the Baltic Sea, with some experts suspecting sabotage.
Each Flex reactor is about the size of an average two-storey house and has the potential to power 40,000 homes for about £40 ($44) per MWh.
The system uses two molten salts: one acting as a fuel, the other circulating as a coolant. This system allows heat from the reactor to be extracted through natural convection, without the need for pumps.
In turn, that rules out the need for steel and concrete buildings, reducing operational and maintenance costs.
Once up and running, the Flex reactor can last for 60 years with only two scheduled breaks to refuel.
What is Folia?
Prince Khaled bin Alwaleed bin Talal's new plant-based menu will launch at Four Seasons hotels in Dubai this November. A desire to cater to people looking for clean, healthy meals beyond green salad is what inspired Prince Khaled and American celebrity chef Matthew Kenney to create Folia. The word means "from the leaves" in Latin, and the exclusive menu offers fine plant-based cuisine across Four Seasons properties in Los Angeles, Bahrain and, soon, Dubai.
Kenney specialises in vegan cuisine and is the founder of Plant Food Wine and 20 other restaurants worldwide. "I’ve always appreciated Matthew’s work," says the Saudi royal. "He has a singular culinary talent and his approach to plant-based dining is prescient and unrivalled. I was a fan of his long before we established our professional relationship."
Folia first launched at The Four Seasons Hotel Los Angeles at Beverly Hills in July 2018. It is available at the poolside Cabana Restaurant and for in-room dining across the property, as well as in its private event space. The food is vibrant and colourful, full of fresh dishes such as the hearts of palm ceviche with California fruit, vegetables and edible flowers; green hearb tacos filled with roasted squash and king oyster barbacoa; and a savoury coconut cream pie with macadamia crust.
In March 2019, the Folia menu reached Gulf shores, as it was introduced at the Four Seasons Hotel Bahrain Bay, where it is served at the Bay View Lounge. Next, on Tuesday, November 1 – also known as World Vegan Day – it will come to the UAE, to the Four Seasons Resort Dubai at Jumeirah Beach and the Four Seasons DIFC, both properties Prince Khaled has spent "considerable time at and love".
There are also plans to take Folia to several more locations throughout the Middle East and Europe.
While health-conscious diners will be attracted to the concept, Prince Khaled is careful to stress Folia is "not meant for a specific subset of customers. It is meant for everyone who wants a culinary experience without the negative impact that eating out so often comes with."
