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Helium-3: The Future Energy Source?

Helium-3: The Future Energy Source?. Major Wayne Wisneski. Overview. Helium-3 Background What Is it…Where Is it Found? How Do We get it? Current Energy Demands U.S. Global Fossil Fuels & Nuclear Energy Other Energy Alternatives He3 Global Implications

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Helium-3: The Future Energy Source?

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  1. Helium-3: The Future Energy Source? Major Wayne Wisneski

  2. Overview • Helium-3 Background • What Is it…Where Is it Found? • How Do We get it? • Current Energy Demands • U.S. • Global • Fossil Fuels & Nuclear Energy • Other Energy Alternatives • He3 Global Implications • He3 Economic Implications • Way Ahead • Conclusion

  3. What is Helium-3…Where Do We Find It? • He3 is naturally produced through fusion in the sun • Settles on the moon’s surface • Earths atmosphere repels He3 from settling on its surface • He3 combined with deuterium produces energy • There is 10 times more energy in He3 than in all of the fossil fuels on Earth (oil, coal, natural gas)

  4. Helium-3…How Do We Get It? • Artist's rendition of He3 mining machine • Using direct sun energy, He3 particles will then be heated to about 1400 degrees • 1400 degrees is the required temperature to convert He3 to usable energy • Transport energy to Earth • Microwave shot or via spacecraft

  5. He3 is not a proven concept but has potential • Estimated 30 – 50 years before Earth could use He3 • Increased funding would decrease timeline • Much research and work remains • What’s appealing about He3? • Abundance of energy • Clean energy • What’s unappealing? • Unproven technology • Costly R&D / production

  6. United States Energy Use • U.S. spends about $440 billion annually for energy • Consumes about 6.2B barrels of oil per year • Consumes about 965M tons of coal per year • Energy needs expected to increase over the next 25 years

  7. Global Energy Use • World oil consumption is expected to grow by 1.3 million bbl/d in both 2008 and 2009 • Projected 50% increase in energy requirements by 2030 • China/India represent 45% of the increase • World coal usage approx 5.3 B tons • Expected to increase by 2.2B every year through 2025

  8. Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Energy: Rising Concerns • Coal • Est. 275 years of resources • Environmental issues • Oil • Some speculation of “peak oil” in 40-50 years • Environmental issues • Geopolitical factors • Rising costs • Nuclear • Radioactive waste • Replace aging reactors • Public health hazard • Natural gas • North American natural gas at • or near peak • Alaska / other continents gas • resources costly to transport

  9. Current /Emerging Energy Alternatives Wind Hydro Solar Fusion Ethanol Hydrogen Bio-diesel

  10. Global Implications

  11. U.S. • Return to moon 2020 • Establish Moon Base • Moon Mining? Global Implications • China • Man on moon by 2024 • Moon Mining? • Russia • Manned moon • mission--2022 • Mining by 2030 • European Union • France • Germany • India • Various Space Initiatives U.N. & Rest of the World

  12. He3 Economic Implications • Estimates of He3 economic impacts are all we have • There is 10 times more energy in lunar He3 than in all of the fossil fuels on Earth (oil, coal, natural gas) • If successfully mined & transported for use on Earth, will end petroleum nations “monopoly” on oil derived energy • First nation to establish moon base…possession is 9/10s of the law… • Estimated 1 million tons of He3 on the moon • Enough to power the world for over 1,000 years • The World Bank: “Investments of $1 trillion will be needed in this decade and upwards of $4 trillion during the next 30 years to meet developing countries' electricity needs alone” • It’s estimated 25-40 tons of He3 can power the U.S. for 1-year • Estimate that He3 would have a cash value of $5.7 billion a ton in terms of $40 per barrel oil (2004 estimate) • He3 produced energy would be nearly pollution-free power • Drastically reduced nuclear waste (nuclear power plants) • Reduced green house gases compared to fossil fuels (especially coal power plants)

  13. He3 Way Ahead • If He3 predictions are correct -- next steps (for the next 12-20 years) • Return to the moon • Build new spacecraft – shuttle phases out in 2010 • Orion spacecraft being built now – operational in 2014 • Research / develop / build He3 (fusion) reactor • Build moon base • Establish lunar mining industry and infrastructure • Develop supply chain to transport He3 from moon to Earth • Establish international consensus for mining the moon

  14. Questions?

  15. Backup Slides

  16. Global Implications: Existing Space Treaties • Outer Space Treaty -- 1967 • Moon Agreement -- 1984 • Additional treaties, agreements and international law required

  17. Things to Consider • Consider: Planet Earth in 2030 (22 years from now, it’s not that far off!) • Increased world population • Increased global industrialization--China, India for example • Increased energy demand • Peak oil / natural gas • Supply / demand results in higher energy costs ($200, $300, $400 oil?) • Consider: Costs to transport He3 from moon to Earth—is it cost effective?

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