If you want to improve the output of solar energy systems, why not also run them at night? That's the question researchers in Qatar and Jordan addressed as they successfully devised a system that promises to more than double energy output of current solar power stations.
It uses a ton of material to power 73 homes annually (652 feet high and 45 feet in diameter), works best in a desert but requires a lot of water. Yeah, nuclear energy is really threatened by that. Modern microreactors in development make, for example, 1.5 MWe at let’s say 90% capacity factor. Assuming about 1000 kWh/mo for a house, that microreactor, which can fit on the back of a semi truck and be transported down the highway that way, can power 985 homes anually and doesn’t require cooling water (will require water for electrical steam generation).
Yeah, I will stick with nuclear, thanks.
Nuclear energy isn’t threatened by this. It’s threatened by the fact that it’s impossible to build one at a profit.
That’s why factory fabricated microreactors are such a cool concept!
The cost of electricity from those is even more expensive than from conventional nuclear.
And by the time that concept becomes reality we’ll either be running 100% renewable energy or dead from climate change
Nope. Deployment of factory fabricated microreactors is planned for the 2030s.
Ah, plans! Well then, that’s a guarantee! No way they’ll hit unexpected roadblocks and go massively overbudget like every other nuclear project
You should educate yourself about GenIV reactors (designs, supply chains, costs…) before you embarrass yourself.
I don’t need to add to the embarrassment that is the nuclear industry
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There are technology (reactor) demonstrations planned within the next 2-3 years, so not quite but very close. A lot of active R&D work going on right now for specific designs at a lot of companies.
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The technologies on which these reactor designs are based have been demonstrated previously. The specific designs are in progress and well on their way. AGR, EBR-II, and MSRE are examples.
So that’s a no, then?
WTF is it with nuclear bros and their war on reality?
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Maybe, but I’ve had plenty of conversations where I’ve bought evidence, facts, used reliable sources, etc. and I see the same people still lying their asses off.
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You realize that the thing you’re describing doesn’t actually exist and likely never will, right?
Pro-nuclear folks are so weird.