Many analysts have predicted a future shortage of uranium. Some rumors on the net and in the broadcast media say that known reserves of uranium will last only 50 years at current usage rates. For this reason, many commodity traders and speculators have been bullish on uranium in recent years. The spike in new reactor permits lends credibility to their arguments. Increased demand with limited supply will lead to higher prices.
So, how high can it really go? The beautiful thing about free markets is that they are self-correcting. High prices are the cure for high prices. As the price for uranium increases, there is a price at which it is no longer economical to produce electricity. For example, it might be cheaper to produce your power from wind, solar, oil or natural gas, depending on their prices. The situation is a little more complicated than a single supply and demand curve. Now, factor in nuclear fuel pre-processing, safety and nuclear proliferation issues, and nuclear waste concerns, and you've found yourself in a big mess.
However, there is a substitute for uranium. Thorium is a similar element that can also be used to produce nuclear power. It is easier to process into fuel, safer to operate, easier to dispose of and is much more abundant on earth than uranium.
The Thorium fuel cycle also does not produce Plutonium 239, which is used to make nuclear bombs. It really is a much better source of nuclear fuel. That is why modern nuclear "Generation IV" reactor designs are built to run on Thorium, NOT uranium.
So, how high can it really go? The beautiful thing about free markets is that they are self-correcting. High prices are the cure for high prices. As the price for uranium increases, there is a price at which it is no longer economical to produce electricity. For example, it might be cheaper to produce your power from wind, solar, oil or natural gas, depending on their prices. The situation is a little more complicated than a single supply and demand curve. Now, factor in nuclear fuel pre-processing, safety and nuclear proliferation issues, and nuclear waste concerns, and you've found yourself in a big mess.
However, there is a substitute for uranium. Thorium is a similar element that can also be used to produce nuclear power. It is easier to process into fuel, safer to operate, easier to dispose of and is much more abundant on earth than uranium.
The Thorium fuel cycle also does not produce Plutonium 239, which is used to make nuclear bombs. It really is a much better source of nuclear fuel. That is why modern nuclear "Generation IV" reactor designs are built to run on Thorium, NOT uranium.
