Third Way is a Washington, D.C. centrist think tank. The mission statement of the Third Way is stated on their website. “We are a public policy and advocacy organization. Our mission is to create and promote transformation centrist ideas. In a time of polarization and populism, Americans deserve better than what they often get from the extremes. And American prosperity and security depend on solutions that are not defined by ideological orthodoxy or narrow interests. Our agenda: economic growth and opportunity, progress on social issues, deep carbonization to battle climate change, an approach to national security that is both tough and smart, and electoral reforms that empower the middle. If that sounds ambition and bold, it may be why the New York Times labeled us radical centrists.”
Just before the beginning of the Winter Meeting of the American Nuclear Society (ANS) in Washington, DC, on October 28th, the Third Way presented a collection of six images and use cases for six possible ways that advanced nuclear reactors could improve life on Earth. They claim that advanced nuclear reactors could contribute to the solution to climate change as well as addressing the increasing demand for electricity in developing economies.
What is different about the Third Way presentation from many other attempts to promoter nuclear energy is the fact that it includes imaginative illustrations of the six use cases. The illustrations were created with the assistance of a design team at Gensler’s Washington, D.C. office and experts at the Idaho National Laboratory. The hope is that people will be more receptive to the advanced nuclear use cases if they are able to see architectural drawings and renderings. Descriptions of the six use cases are listed below. You can review images for these use cases at the Third Way website.
Remote communities in the Arctic have had to rely on noisy and polluting diesel powered generators for their energy. Small advanced nuclear reactors with infrequent refueling needs would be ideal to power such communities.
Many types of transportation have been or are being adapted to electric power. A transportation hub powered by a small module reactor could provide electricity to power rail lines, personal electric vehicles, shared autonomous vehicles and electric buses.
Communities in developing nations have increasing demand for energy. An advanced full-sized nuclear reactor could provide electricity to the community while excess energy could be used to desalinate water.
An advanced nuclear high temperature reactor could be created that would be able to provide power and process heat for heavy industries in the developed world.
Naval bases around the world could benefit from a stable electrical supply and power that could be provided for docked ships from an advanced nuclear reactor.
Internet data centers consume a lot of electricity. A small module reactor could provide sustained and stable electricity for a data center.
Suzy Hobbs Baker, a representative for Third Way who was present for the opening of the exhibit of the use case images at the Fathom Gallery in Washington, D.C. on October 28, said, “Our purpose is to produce a different and engaging look at advanced reactors. We wanted to visualize at the front end and show how these facilities would be integrated into various communities. Our focus is on both design aesthetics and function. We want the general public to become curious about these images and use cases and the story they tell about advanced nuclear energy. Second, we want to hear feedback from developers of advanced nuclear designs about these images. Overall, we think these images will inspire people.”
With respect to the involvement of the Gensler’s Sustainability Team, Baker said, “Gensler was the only team, out of several that we talked to when developing this project which was interested in nuclear systems and had given the issue some thought. Each case that they worked with us to develop refers both to the application and the community in which it is located.”
Time will tell if this Third Way effort to promote advanced nuclear power systems based on the Gensler images will be successful.
