Prof. Dieter Rörich of the Department of Physics and Technology is one of the seven scientists in the committee, which was established by The Research Council of Norway on commission from the Ministry for Petroleum and Energy.  They have until the end of the year to present a report on the possibilities and risks involved in using thorium to produce energy.

"Our job is to give a professional evaluation regarding the possibilities and problems involved in using thorium, but it’s obviously too early to comment on the outcome at the moment," he says.

In addition to Rörich, the commission includes three Norwegian scientists, and representatives from Sweden, France and Switzerland.

Keeping the pot boiling
Geir Anton Johansen is vice-dean of the Faculty of Mathematics and Natural Sciences, and he believes that the appointment of a committee shows that it’s worth persevering and pushing-on to obtain an end result.

"The current climate challenges make it necessary to rethink our ideas in relation to alternative sources of energy.  It doesn’t help to throw in the towel just because the necessary technologies aren’t yet in place," he says.

Lillestøl believes and hopes that the findings presented by the committee will be positive.

"I think that it’s important that we Norwegians keep the pot boiling, provided of course that the report is positive. If we do this, then we can lead the field and not just be left standing as exporters of energy.  During the 1970’s, Norway put a lot of effort into developing technology for the oil industry, and have since lead the field in this area.  The scenario could also apply to thorium, but lots of countries have already come a long way towards developing technology. We will therefore have to grab the chance if we get it," he says.