Helium-3: The Future Energy Source?Helium-3: The Future Energy Source?

Major Wayne Wisneski

OverviewOverview

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

What is Helium-3…Where Do We Find It?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)

Helium-3…How Do We Get It?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

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

United States Energy UseUnited 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

Global Energy UseGlobal 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

Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Energy: Rising Concerns Fossil Fuels and Nuclear Energy: Rising Concerns

OilOil• Some speculation of “peak oil” Some speculation of “peak oil” in 40-50 yearsin 40-50 years• Environmental issuesEnvironmental issues• Geopolitical factorsGeopolitical factors• Rising costsRising costs

Natural gasNatural gas• North American natural gas at North American natural gas at or near peakor near peak• Alaska / other continents gas Alaska / other continents gas resources costly to transportresources costly to transport

CoalCoal• Est. 275 years of resourcesEst. 275 years of resources

• Environmental issues Environmental issues

NuclearNuclear• Radioactive wasteRadioactive waste

• Replace aging reactorsReplace aging reactors• Public health hazard Public health hazard

HydrogenHydrogen

WindWind

Bio-dieselBio-diesel

EthanolEthanol

SolarSolar

Current /Emerging Energy AlternativesCurrent /Emerging Energy Alternatives

FusionFusion

HydroHydro

Global ImplicationsGlobal Implications

U.S.U.S.

• Return to moon 2020Return to moon 2020• Establish Moon BaseEstablish Moon Base• Moon Mining?Moon Mining?

RussiaRussia

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

ChinaChina

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

IndiaIndia• Various Space InitiativesVarious Space Initiatives

European UnionEuropean Union• FranceFrance• GermanyGermany

U.N. & Rest of the WorldU.N. & Rest of the World

Global Global ImplicationsImplications

He3 Economic ImplicationsHe3 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)

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

He3 Way AheadHe3 Way Ahead

Questions?Questions?

Backup Slides

Global Implications: Existing Space TreatiesGlobal Implications: Existing Space Treaties

Outer Space Treaty -- 1967Outer Space Treaty -- 1967

Moon Agreement -- 1984Moon Agreement -- 1984

Additional treaties, agreements and Additional treaties, agreements and international law requiredinternational law required

Things to ConsiderThings 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?