Molten salt reactors

Molten salt reactors

Naming nuclear an energy technology to watch is fraught for several reasons.

Beyond the debate over the extent to which nuclear qualifies as a clean energy source, the sector’s traditional approach faces ongoing problems in the U.S. and Europe, and alternatives such as fusion and small modular reactors remain frustratingly far from commercialization.

Nevertheless, advocates say one emerging technology, the molten salt reactor, could provide carbon-free electricity with fewer radiation risks than traditional nuclear.

And the concept seems to be gaining fans: Moltex Energy, a U.K. developer, managed to pull in £6 million ($7.7 million) through a crowdfunding event in September.