Helium-3: The Future Energy Source?

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Helium-3 The Future Energy Source?
Major Wayne Wisneski
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Overview

• Helium-3 Background
• What Is itWhere 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

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What is Helium-3Where Do We Find It?

• He3 is naturally produced through fusion in the
  sun
• Settles on the moons 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)

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Helium-3How 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

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• 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
• Whats appealing about He3?
• Abundance of energy
• Clean energy
• Whats unappealing?
• Unproven technology
• Costly RD / production

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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

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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

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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

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Current /Emerging Energy Alternatives
Wind
Hydro
Solar
Fusion
Ethanol
Hydrogen
Bio-diesel
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Global Implications
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• U.S.
• Return to moon 2020
• Establish Moon Base
• Moon Mining?

• China
• Man on moon by 2024
• Moon Mining?

Global Implications

• Russia
• Manned moon
• mission--2022
• Mining by 2030

• European Union
• France
• Germany

• India
• Various Space Initiatives

U.N. Rest of the World
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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 basepossession
  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
• Its 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)

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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

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Questions?
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Backup Slides
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Global Implications Existing Space Treaties

• Outer Space Treaty -- 1967
• Moon Agreement -- 1984
• Additional treaties, agreements and
  international law required

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Things to Consider

• Consider Planet Earth in 2030 (22 years from
  now, its 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
  Earthis it cost effective?