Fusion Power
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Fusion power is a great idea (and quite literally powers every solar power system out there.) But confined fusion has a lot of problems. Even achieving ignition doesn't get you there - ignition just means there is enough energy to maintain the plasma; you need a lot more power to become a practical energy source. (And we haven't even reached ignition yet.) Another big problem is that fusion produces very energetic neutrons which induce radioactivity in anything nearby. So you quickly have a very radioactive chamber that remains "hot" even after you stop the reaction. Working with such a chamber is very difficult - as is fixing it and disposing of it.
I think we will eventually get there. But like fission, it won't be the "clean, limitless power" source that it's being sold as. It will require large, heavy power plants, produce a significant amount of high level nuclear waste, and require heavy shielding and robotic control/maintenance. None of which is cheap.
In 2050 power will far more likely come from one of these than from rooftops or windmills. -
From the linked article - ITER isn’t expected to fuse D-T fuel until 2027 (producing 500 megawatts for up to 1,000 seconds) — and an awful lot can happen in 15 years.
The article points out the difficulties and the long road as well as the enormous sums of money involved.
This is where the government belongs - doing things that the private sector never would be able to. This isn't subsidizing anything but paying for basic research that others can build on.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Comment
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I wish they spent the part of the money commericializing thorium reactors instead of dumping all of it it into fusion. Fusion have been "20 years" out there for a long time and if thorium reactors can use up all the left over nuke fuel stored all around the country, I think we would get many of the benefits in a lot quicker period of time.Comment
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I wish they spent the part of the money commericializing thorium reactors instead of dumping all of it it into fusion. Fusion have been "20 years" out there for a long time and if thorium reactors can use up all the left over nuke fuel stored all around the country, I think we would get many of the benefits in a lot quicker period of time.[SIGPIC][/SIGPIC]Comment
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I wish they spent the part of the money commericializing thorium reactors instead of dumping all of it it into fusion. Fusion have been "20 years" out there for a long time and if thorium reactors can use up all the left over nuke fuel stored all around the country, I think we would get many of the benefits in a lot quicker period of time.Comment
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This is where the government belongs - doing things that the private sector never would be able to. This isn't subsidizing anything but paying for basic research that others can build on.Comment
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The reason this was abandoned back then in favor of fast breeders is the simple fact that you cannot create weapons from a Thorium Reactor.
This country (Government) was more interested in producing Plutonium for weapons. The power generation was simply a side benefit.NABCEP certified Technical Sales Professional
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[URL="http://www.gaisma.com"]www.gaisma.com[/URL]Comment
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It just takes a little motivation, setting priorities, and removing politics out of it. Fission power was a theory in 1939 and two working nuclear power plants and 2 bombs by 1945.MSEE, PEComment
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Unfortunately, wars play a large part in driving technology. They do provide a strong motivation.SunnyBoy 3000 US, 18 BP Solar 175B panels.Comment
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Nuclear power was made possible by politics, as was the space race. We had to get fission bombs before the Germans, and fusion bombs before the Russians. We had to get to the moon before the USSR after they beat us to orbit. Those events provided the motivation, and politics provided the means; both efforts were funded completely by the government. Commercial nuclear fission was a side effect of that effort.Comment
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No way was it politics. One man made the decision, the POTUS under War Power Act. The POTUS has full power during war and does not have to consult Congress, Senate, or take a vote. Signs the XO and it is done. One man with a decision. Not Even POTUS Truman knew about the project until after FDR death. You cannot run a War on consensus. That is why the Constitution gives the POTUS full power when the War Power Act is granted by Congress.MSEE, PEComment
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