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> I would bet that we could have a fusion PoC in 5 years if someone wrote a blank check and fully funded many different credible efforts. If that's the case, t
by jonas21 6y ago
> I would bet that we could have a fusion PoC in 5 years if someone wrote a blank check and fully funded many different credible efforts.
If that's the case, then why hasn't anyone written that check? The potential profit from commercialized fusion seems enormous (unlike a mars base), and there doesn't seem to be a shortage of capital seeking large returns.
- willis936 6y agoFew people have the ability to write the check. Musk is the only one that even comes to mind, and he’s on the record saying he won’t touch turbulence. Still, there is hope.
- dividedbyzero 6y agoI guess it would be a really really big blank check, and then you'd still have to get from a PoC to a commercially viable plant and convince the public it's not a hydrogen bomb and it's quite safe and then you'd have to outcompete renewables for decades to get a decent return while you miniaturize your device for use anywhere else than a stationary plant, and then someone starts making a paint with tiny organic solar cells in it and absurdly-efficient batteries and while you can still make a killing for niche applications, it's a pittance compared to your investment. I guess in the end both risks and upfront costs are just way too high to do things that way.