Topic: Are SMR's the answer to a long-term power solution question?

[Libertas]

https://www.zerohedge.com/technology/south-korean-made-mini-nuclear-reactors-wont-melt-down-approved-us

Seems promising to me...







These modules use standard 17x17 PWR fuel assemblies, also making them cost-effective, at only half the height, with an average U-235 enrichment of 3.8%. A single NuScale nuclear power module is 76-feet tall and 15-feet in diameter, and sits in a plant covering less than a tenth of a square mile or about 60 acres.

https://www.forbes.com/sites/jamesconca/2018/01/24/can-we-make-a-nuclear-reactor-that-wont-melt-down/#4b4f94815b7e

Avoiding meltdowns, smaller physical footprint easier to mitigate in quake zones and such...but, there is still decay and waste storage to handle...so final solution?  No, bridge to a final energy solution?  I think so.  Once we can replicate the process of the sun we'll be there.

[patentlymn]

I think that the US will stall and dither as usual. Some country will adopt this or another technology and make it work. At some point the US will follow suit.

[Libertas]

Well, we are involved in SMRs...but folks at MIT and something called CFS think they are close to plasma/fusion by as early as 2025...

https://www.zerohedge.com/energy/mit-scientists-nuclear-fusion-energy-could-be-closer-thought

...so that is a much more attractive program...but would still take years to perfect and make readily available...

...assuming there is a we still existing by whenever that is...