Project description
Burning nuclear waste to generate cost-effective energy
Although fossil fuels are responsible for 75 % of greenhouse gas emissions, they are expected to remain the dominant energy source. Nuclear energy, which has the lowest life-cycle CO2emissions, is essential to developing sustainable alternatives. The EIC-funded Th-MSR project aims to develop thorium molten salt reactors (Th-MSRs), often referred to as waste burners, which can burn nuclear waste and produce cost-effective energy. These reactors can fit into shipping containers and can be massed-produced at a rate of one reactor per day. The waste from these reactors only requires 300 years of above-ground storage, compared to the 100 000 years needed for traditional methods. The results will support the decarbonisation of energy systems.
Objective
The global energy demand is set to surge by 62-185% by 2050, driven by population growth and economic expansion. Despite being responsible for a staggering 75% of global greenhouse gas emissions, fossil fuels are projected to dominate the energy mix until 2050. Our generation faces a crucial challenge in finding large-scale alternatives to fossil fuels that are affordable, safe, and sustainable.
Nuclear energy is instrumental in achieving these ambitions. It is a low-carbon energy source, emitting the lowest amount of CO2/kWh considering total life-cycle emissions of all energy sources.
Copenhagen Atomics is developing breakthrough nuclear technology to enable a paradigm shift for green energy. We are pioneering thorium molten salt reactors (Th-MSRs), the Waste Burners, – a groundbreaking solution that burns nuclear waste to generate abundant and cost-effective energy.
This next-generation reactor is engineered for faster construction, lower deployment costs, and reduced environmental impact compared to traditional reactors. The Waste Burner fits inside a custom-built 40-foot shipping container and can be mass-manufactured on assembly lines with an expected output of 1 reactor per day (per assembly line) once scale-up has been achieved. Additionally, the waste left behind by the CA reactor only needs to be stored for 300 years above ground, vs. 100,000 years of expensive deep geological storage.
The unique value proposition points emphasize industry-leading LCoE €20 per MWh in the mass production stage, lowest all-in CO2 emissions, mass manufacturing feasibility, waste reduction, and walk-away safety. This positions us as potentially the most affordable green electricity source in the 2030s.
The Waste Burner presents a disruptive and sustainable alternative to fossil fuel-based energy, contributing to the decarbonisation of energy systems, reducing Europe's dependence on fossil fuels, and providing affordable, secure and sustainable energy for Europe.
Fields of science (EuroSciVoc)
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
CORDIS classifies projects with EuroSciVoc, a multilingual taxonomy of fields of science, through a semi-automatic process based on NLP techniques. See: The European Science Vocabulary.
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Keywords
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Project’s keywords as indicated by the project coordinator. Not to be confused with the EuroSciVoc taxonomy (Fields of science)
Programme(s)
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
Multi-annual funding programmes that define the EU’s priorities for research and innovation.
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HORIZON.3.1 - The European Innovation Council (EIC)
MAIN PROGRAMME
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Topic(s)
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Calls for proposals are divided into topics. A topic defines a specific subject or area for which applicants can submit proposals. The description of a topic comprises its specific scope and the expected impact of the funded project.
Funding Scheme
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
Funding scheme (or “Type of Action”) inside a programme with common features. It specifies: the scope of what is funded; the reimbursement rate; specific evaluation criteria to qualify for funding; and the use of simplified forms of costs like lump sums.
HORIZON-EIC-ACC - HORIZON EIC Accelerator
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Call for proposal
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
Procedure for inviting applicants to submit project proposals, with the aim of receiving EU funding.
(opens in new window) HORIZON-EIC-2025-ACCELERATOR-02
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Net EU financial contribution. The sum of money that the participant receives, deducted by the EU contribution to its linked third party. It considers the distribution of the EU financial contribution between direct beneficiaries of the project and other types of participants, like third-party participants.
2770 KASTRUP
Denmark
The organization defined itself as SME (small and medium-sized enterprise) at the time the Grant Agreement was signed.
The total costs incurred by this organisation to participate in the project, including direct and indirect costs. This amount is a subset of the overall project budget.