Investor That Can See The Future

Chapter 348

We were able to tour the lab under the guidance of Professor Petrov. The way the researchers sat in front of the computer and worked was no different from other labs.

Well, I’m not going to do experiments with uranium or nuclear fuel rods in the university, so this is natural.

Progressing wave reactor development is a national project. It is known that Prof. Petrov’s research team is receiving support from the Rosatom as well as national support.

Taek-gyu asked in a low voice.

“What is Rosatom doing?”

“Russian nuclear power plant.”

Just as Korea has KHNP, Russia has Rosatom. Although the same in that it builds, maintains, and manages nuclear power plants, Rosatom also develops and produces nuclear weapons.

Russia is operating a total of 11 nuclear power plants in its own country and is also actively exporting nuclear power plants abroad.

After looking around the area where outsiders were allowed to tour, we sat down.

“Do you like tea or coffee?”

“I have coffee.”

“Is there no Coke?”

The researcher served drinks.

“Sorry for the sudden visit. I don’t know if you’re surprised.”

Professor Petrov burst out laughing as cool as his size.

“Haha, I’m sorry. I also wanted to meet you once if I had a chance. When I heard that Professor Mohan was coming with me, I struggled to hold back what I wanted to brag about.”

The two professors, who had not met in a long time, exchanged stories.

Professor Mohan was initially negative about nuclear power, but he said that he changed his mind little by little after talking with Professor Petrov.

The reason the two developed a personal friendship was because they shared a common understanding of the climate change Awakened.

“I am still negative about nuclear power. It is not enough to say that once an accident occurs, the damage is terrible. But if we can’t get rid of nuclear power plants on the planet right now, it would be better to find a safer and more efficient way.”

Professor Petrov said.

“At present, nuclear power is the energy with the lowest environmental impact. Thermal power generation emits huge amounts of fine dust and greenhouse gases. It is the main culprit of environmental destruction along with automobile exhaust.”

Germany, which declared that it would phase out nuclear power, increased the ratio of eco-friendly energy, but at the same time, it ran full operation of coal power plants using lignite as fuel, causing environmental destruction. In the end, what came out as an alternative was LNG power generation. To this end, Russia is constructing a gas pipeline to import natural gas.

I remembered my conversation with Professor Homin Kim.

While Professor Homin Kim is researching how to efficiently use renewable energy through an energy storage system (ESS), Professor Petrov is researching how to use nuclear power more safely and efficiently.

He felt great again.

While most people live their daily lives, someone is trying to make the world a better place. Humanity could have come this far because of people like this in any era.

“Can I get a more detailed explanation?”

“Are you talking about TWR?”

“Yes. I am interested in that these days.”

Most scholars are proud of their field of study. Again, Professor Petrov was excited and explained the outline and advantages of a traveling wave reactor.

“As you know, nuclear power has a lot of problems. Human error can lead to catastrophic catastrophes, such as the Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear disasters. But TWR can solve most of the problems with nuclear power plants today.”

A traveling wave reactor starts from a fast breeder reactor. The concept first appeared in the USSR in 1958.

“My father was a scientist who developed nuclear weapons. Waste fuel from nuclear reactors was used as a material for nuclear weapons.”

A Fast Breeder Reactor can re-burn waste fuel from a nuclear reactor. Petrov’s father and Soviet scientists thought that the fast breeder could deter the development of nuclear weapons while simultaneously disposing of waste.

It didn’t get much attention at the time for a number of reasons, but things are different now. This is because the shortage of uranium supply, the storage of spent fuel, and the prevention of the proliferation of nuclear weapons have become global issues.

This was followed by an explanation of the principle and outline of the traveling wave reactor. Even if we heard it anyway, we didn’t know what he was saying, so we just nodded eagerly.

The principle is unknown, but the advantages are clear.

Nuclear power plants are built along the coast. This is because of the characteristics of light water reactors that require a large amount of cooling water. In coastal areas, it can be cooled as much as possible using seawater. (Korea is mainly concentrated on the east coast)

However, in a traveling wave reactor, the fission reaction proceeds slowly and is cooled with liquid metal. As there is no need for a separate cooling water, it can be built inland.

Another advantage is that it is easier to miniaturize and modularize compared to light or heavy water reactors. It can be built one at a time where small-scale power generation is required, and can be mounted on large ships or submarines.

In fact, most of the problems of existing nuclear power plants can be solved!

I asked gently.

“If the experiment is successful, when will commercialization be possible?”

Professor Petrov said confidently.

“If the experiment is successful, it can be commercialized within a year. It is different from existing nuclear power plants that require large-scale facilities, so construction time and costs can be greatly reduced.”

But then he shook his head.

“The problem, one way or the other, is completely all-stopped at this stage. We are accumulating data through simulations, but we do not know when the experiment will be possible.”

“Is it because of the budget too?”

“That is probably the biggest reason.”

The reactor experiment is not about making only a twinkle atom. All kinds of facilities and safety devices should be made in preparation for the bay one.

You have to convince the people around you too, but Russia is so vast and the government is strong, so you don’t have to worry too much about that.

The cost of testing and commercialization is approximately $1 billion.

A plan that may or may not succeed right away is a large amount to invest in. But if you’re 100% sure of success, that’s a ridiculously cheap price.

“Then if we solve the money problem, we can proceed with the experiment.”

Professor Mohan said jokingly.

“Are you thinking of making an investment?”

I nodded.

“Yes. I will invest.”

They were both surprised by my words.

“Are you going to invest?”

“Uh, why so suddenly… … ?”

Of course it’s because I saw the foreknowledge, but I can’t say it as it is.

Taek-gyu clenched his fists and said.

“Why! I strongly sympathized with the two people’s opinions that climate change should be prevented. This is a groundbreaking technology to protect the environment. If only we could slow global warming, would money matter?”

I added quickly.

“Yeah, that’s right. Climate change is a problem for all mankind to solve together. I am willing to give it a try.”

Both professors were thrilled.

Professor Petrov said, grabbing my hand.

“Amazing! You must be thinking about the future of mankind like this!”

“Oh, no… … .”

It’s only because of my personal self-interest, so it’s hard to be moved too much.

* * *

[Jinhoo Kang, secretly to Russia][OTK Company CEO’s visit to Russia!][Meeting Professor Mohan and Professor Petrov at Moscow University. Is it for personal or investment purposes?][Jinhu Kang, the possibility of meeting with President Vysotsky?]

Despite the lack of publicity, the fact that we had come to Russia and had contact with Professor Petrov spread all over the world.

We got a hostel in Russia and started working right away.

Investing in companies and investing in nuclear power technology are completely different. As nuclear power technology is directly related to national security, foreign companies’ investment must obtain permission from the Russian government. No matter how much money we pack and carry, it will be over if the government does not allow it.

Even if a permit is granted, it has to go through a number of complex administrative procedures. In Korea or Japan, this process would take at least a few months or more than a year, but Russia is a de facto dictatorship.

With just one word from President Vysotsky, things will go smoothly.

OTK Company has expressed its intention to invest in Rosatom. Investing also requires complicated paperwork, but if you have a lot of money, you don’t have to handle everything yourself.

The Golden Gate Russian branch moved on our behalf.

Investing in nuclear power plants is a sensitive issue for both those receiving and making the investment. OTK Company does not need to report to the Korean government or obtain permission as much as a US corporation.

Instead, it went through a review to see if there were any parts that needed approval from the US government. This part was handled by the Korean branch.

The legal team screamed at the rush of work.

I received a complaint call from the head of the 1st legal team.

[What’s this? Because of Jinhoo, the whole team can’t even leave work right now!]

“Ah… … How did it happen? Is that a lot of work?”

[Is that important now? Why didn’t you say anything when you went to invest in a traveling wave reactor? I could have talked to you in advance.]

I think I was more upset about not telling him ahead of time than the work bomb.

“Sorry. I didn’t know it would be like this either. I was just going to listen to the story, but it was decided suddenly… … .”

[Is that a lie?]

“… … Really.”

How did you know it was a lie?

I comforted Ellie for a while.

“I will buy you a present. Release your anger.”

Then Ellie’s voice softened slightly.

[It depends on what kind of gift you buy.]

“… … .”

Do you want to be a matryoshka?

“Isn’t there a more legal problem than that?”

[I’ve been looking for it now, but there shouldn’t be any problems.]

Megapower’s research was halted because of concerns that the US nuclear technology would leak to China. We are investing only capital, not technology, so there will be no legal issues.

[More than that, Jessica was worried about other issues.]

Currently, Russia is subject to sanctions from the West. NATO members are pressing for implementation of the Minsk Agreement. Of course, Russia is not even listening.

Even if it avoids legal problems, it is a situation where you can see it.(Read more @ wuxiax.com)

“If the US allows it, there will be no major problems.”

Russia was once an enemy of the United States. However, things have changed a bit since the rise of China. The US has revised its foreign strategy to use Russia to contain China.

President Ronald also pushed this strategy. So while China is pounding excitedly, it is passive about sanctions against Russia.

Also, he was known as a pro-Russian faction even before the presidential election, and had frequent personal meetings with President Vysotsky before the election.

As long as it’s not against the law, I’m not really against it.

What is important is President Vysotsky’s intention?

* * *

The meeting was held in secret at the Kremlin, presided over by the president.

Rosatom and Gazprom officials also attended. Although nominally both are privately owned companies, they are effectively operating according to the will of the government, like a dictatorship.

President Trusova Rosatom said with excitement.

“It is enough for Rosatom to invest without having to receive investment from OTK Company.”

Jinhoo Kang has succeeded in all investments so far. His interest meant that the experiment had a high probability of success and commercialization.

It’s not that Rosa Tom doesn’t have the capital, so he doesn’t have to put the OTK Company in it. If you receive an investment from OTK Company, you can share the risk, but you must also share the profit.

The Minister of Energy had a similar view. However, some disagreed.

“If Jinhoo Kang decides to invest in this field, he will invest elsewhere even if Russia refuses. Currently, it is known that the U.S. Mega Power is at the forefront of technology.”

“It is more effective to use his reputation than to rule out Jinhu Kang. In a way, wouldn’t it mean that Russia’s nuclear power technology was recognized? Just holding hands with Jinhoo Kang will be of great help in winning the nuclear power plant order.”

After the Fukushima nuclear accident, awareness grew and construction of nuclear power plants around the world stopped for a while. In other words, it can be seen that demand has stagnated. And this demand has been stretching recently.

UK, China, Czech Republic, Japan, Egypt, Saudi Arabia and so on.

There are not one or two countries that have confirmed or are reviewing nuclear power plant construction plans. Russia competed fiercely with other countries to win orders.

The largest company in the world in this field is EDF of France. The technology is also the best in the world.

China is entering the market with low-priced orders with CNNC (China Nuclear Industry Group) and CNNP (China Nuclear Power). The plan is to make a name for itself in the global nuclear power plant market by accumulating export performance rather than immediate profits.

Korea is also a strong competitor. Korea has been at the forefront of construction in the Middle East since the 1970s, and is knocking on the door of nuclear power plant construction in the Middle East based on the trust it has built up. A typical example is the order for the Baccarat nuclear power plant in the United Arab Emirates.

On the other hand, Rosatom is at a disadvantage in many ways due to sanctions from the West. However, if a traveling wave reactor is successfully tested, this situation can be reversed at once.

It is an opportunity for Russia to rise to the top of the world in the nuclear power sector!

If Russia succeeds, neither the US nor China will stand still. I’ll resume the experiment right away and pursue it. But until then, you can definitely hit first.

Prime Minister Volkov viewed the situation more objectively as he had experience in the presidency.

“Jinhoo Kang is investing in various industries such as self-driving electric vehicles, games, and IT. We need to have him participate in this project and strengthen cooperation with OTK Company across the industry. This is a great opportunity to revive the stagnant Russian economy.”

President Vysotsky tapped the table with his fingers as if contemplating.

After a while, he opened his mouth.

“Let’s meet Jin-hoo Kang once and make a decision.”