Development of a communication strategy for thorium molten salt reactor research

Abstract

The Thorium Molten Salt Reactor is one of the technologies being investigated to offer large scale carbon-free energy production. Yet as it is a form of nuclear energy it is controversial, and TMSR research is underfunded. In an effort to combat the controversy, a communication strategy for TMSR research is developed. This communication strategy is focussed on Dutch governmental organisations and political parties. The central question in this thesis is: How could TMSR be communicated by nuclear scientists, in order to improve the quality of discussion about TMSR at the relevant governmental organisations in the Netherlands? This was researched creating an overview of all relevant governmental organisations and interviewing several of them. Several factors that influence the attitude were hereby questioned, such as their values as an organisation, the frame by which they view nuclear energy in general, their approach to climate change, and their focus in energy policy. The relevant governmental organisations were identified as: ministry of economic affairs and climate, the social economic council, PBL Netherlands Environmental Assessment Agency, and the political parties PvdA, VVD, D66, GL, and CDA. The consensus focussed Dutch political system, coupled with preference for a democratic approach to climate change, leads to a communication strategy based on negotiation. This negotiation must be done in a constructive way that acknowledges the needs of all attending parties. Thorium is explicitly not to be presented as a substitution to wind, solar, and the climate agreement, but as an addition to it. The creation of a Platform Energy Innovation as a discussion form is recommended. This platform is to facilitate discussion with all the above-mentioned organisations and several other supporting ones. The use of integrative negotiation has the potential to create the desired positive attitude without creating enemies and thereby secure a more stable future for TMSR research in the context of the Dutch energy transition.