3 ms·

I love the idea, but how much energy to micro-reactors provide today, on a commercial basis?

• EricE 6y ago
  As much as you need. Modern designs are modular - chain together as many as you need to provide base load and also provide some overage so you have coverage when they do inevitably need servicing. Or since they are modular if significant long term loads shift geographically, you can easily move them around to where needed too. I agree the concepts of massive plants aren’t desireable - luckily there are alternatives if we can ever get past the emotional arguments and actually discuss things rationally.
  • dukeyukey 6y ago
    They sound awesome, but as far as I know they still haven't been commercialised so their potential is still largely unknown.
    • jasonwatkinspdx 6y ago
      NuScale is still moving, but they have slipped on schedule and budget, far enough some of their project partners have pulled out. So far everyone who's pursued this small modular reactors built by factories approach has failed in the ambition. Doesn't mean it's impossible but just maybe we should be a bit more bearish than bullish on the idea of this sparking a revolution in the capital costs and time scales of nuclear power.
• thinkcontext 6y ago
  NuScale is the furthest along. Their design has been certified by the NRC, their first project is scheduled to come online towards the end of this decade.