Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Happiness is only billions away

Here's a bunch of happy optimists! Team Candu, which is 99% AECL, is willing to assume all the costs, in today's tight credit economy. They will build the second Pt. Lepreau, for the export market.

I know they are totally ignoring seismic, but it will be interesting to see what will happen. I give it a good chance for a major earthquake somewhere along the east coast, and then all their happiness will vanish, and they struggle to justify their design. Shit happens, my friends!

5 comments:

Monado said...

If I read John G. Cramer's article in Analog correctly, small, controlled fusion reactors smashing deuterium or deuterium & boron together are just around the corner and could become a reality in about 10 years with an application of about $1 billion. He's a professor in Seattle... I'm looking for the article online but haven't found a copy yet. I think it was the October '07 Analog. They had it almost self-sustaining and very controllable when the funding ran out, as it is wont to do with middle-aged scientists as the priority is for young ones.

Monado said...

Or maybe it's March '08,

I did find an old paper (PDF) on their device

Harold Asmis said...

These things have huge energy barriers to overcome, and all sorts of weird quantum effects. However, the way nuclear is totally constipated, it'll be a close race!

Monado said...

Of course, with electrical /magnetic containment and smashing particles together instead of piling up Uranium and waiting, the equipment itself doesn't become radioactive so you don't have to mothball it after thirty years. I still find it hard to believe Hydro went for that kind of deal. Better 10,000 corks turning wave action into energy...

Harold Asmis said...

In a totally rational world, nuclear is still the best option right now. My problem is that I haven't seen too much rationality lately....