How Nuclear Became a Future Proof Industry

[@Kilstryke]

Great video Osama, posted on TFIN.

[@OsamaBaig]

Thank you so much Kilstryke! Always appreciate your support!

[@chapter4travels]

I think (hope?) that's the old-school model. Pressure water reactors are inherently very expensive and benefit greatly from economies of scale, hence the huge power plants that you described. However low-pressure/high-temperature reactors are inherently inexpensive and will cost less than both coal and natural gas plants. They also generate high-grade industrial heat whose demand is twice that of electricity alone. That changes the business model entirely. One of the first of these reactors is coming from Canada, Terrestrial Energy and their first customers will utilize the industrial heat first, and electricity second. This is our energy future.

[@LoneWolf-wp9dn]

That sounds amazing... When are they coming online?

[@OsamaBaig]

A lot of reactors may seem less expensive on paper, however the project management and construction strategies are what lead to reactors being cheaper and cost effective

[@chapter4travels]

@@OsamaBaig In a PWR electric power plant the entire plant (nuclear and power conversion) is nuclear certified and regulated by the NRC. This makes the power conversion equipment and operation very expensive. On a high-temperature plant like the Natrium reactor in Wyoming, only the nuclear island is regulated by the NRC. The steam plant is off-the-shelf equipment that can be installed by anyone and maintained by anyone. This aspect alone "should' save a lot of upfront capital and ongoing operation cost.

[@chapter4travels]

Next is the low-pressure/high-temperature nuclear island. Everything about it "should" cost less than a PWR.

[@SaadShameem]

What does utility mean? eg. working in utilities?

[@OsamaBaig]

A utility is an electricity generating asset aka Nuclear power plant, hydropower plant, solar/wind farm or any other generating asset

[@LoneWolf-wp9dn]

#doubt

[@OsamaBaig]

Why is there doubt

[@LoneWolf-wp9dn]

@@OsamaBaig Nuclear is too expensive and it's only getting more expensive... Nuclear is very political wherever you go... Nuclear is not safe or at least not safe enough that everyone would be OK with having one near them... Nuclear is not standardised everything is very bespoke... The labour case you laid out is terrible... All that would have to be paid by the government for a very long time with a very uncertain break even point... Why go through all that hassle when you can have renewables and then have gas plants as baseline? Much cheaper and far fewer headaches