Actually, thorium reactors have a natural load-following capability due to their negative thermal coefficient of reactivity. You suck power out of them too fast, they cool, get denser, and the reaction rate increases, increasing power output.
In addition, shutting down a liquid salt reactor is literally a matter of pulling, actually melting, a plug. Simply overheat the core, melting the freeze plug, and the fuel falls into a subcritically shaped catchment tray. Reheat and reload and the reactor is up again. They're very easy to start and stop.
There's a wealth of information on the Net about these guys. I hope they get built!
Actually, thorium reactors have a natural load-following capability due to their negative thermal coefficient of reactivity. You suck power out of them too fast, they cool, get denser, and the reaction rate increases, increasing power output.
In addition, shutting down a liquid salt reactor is literally a matter of pulling, actually melting, a plug. Simply overheat the core, melting the freeze plug, and the fuel falls into a subcritically shaped catchment tray. Reheat and reload and the reactor is up again. They're very easy to start and stop.
There's a wealth of information on the Net about these guys. I hope they get built!