It looks like the ITER fusion project is now completely on course to happen. But the lead-in times are daunting :
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/scien ... 90480.html
What I find amazing and disappointing is the 13 billion dollar budget.
I know it's a lot of money, but it's tiny in the context of global spending on energy.
And the money isn't lost, it's circulated in the countries taking part, and the payoff in technical development has to be massive too.
I would cancel the space-station, and double the money spent on fusion.
Fusion Power
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mistermack
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Fusion Power
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PsychoSerenity
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Re: Fusion Power
I agree. For thirty or so nations over several decades 13 billion is not huge. For comparison, the whole lot would be covered by about five years of the BBC licence fee.
[Disclaimer - if this is comes across like I think I know what I'm talking about, I want to make it clear that I don't. I'm just trying to get my thoughts down]
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cronus
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Re: Fusion Power
Priorities, priorities....PsychoSerenity wrote:I agree. For thirty or so nations over several decades 13 billion is not huge. For comparison, the whole lot would be covered by about five years of the BBC licence fee.
What will the world be like after its ruler is removed?
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PsychoSerenity
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Re: Fusion Power
Shh! I've got to go and watch Dr Who on BBC iPlayer. It's the one where the TARDIS has crashed and The Doctor has to go and tinker about with the power core before it explodes.Scrumple wrote: Priorities, priorities....
[Disclaimer - if this is comes across like I think I know what I'm talking about, I want to make it clear that I don't. I'm just trying to get my thoughts down]
Re: Fusion Power
30 years ago, when I decided to start my studies in nuclear engineering, my dream was to go into fusion research and help develop the technology that would save humanity - well, that never happened. Today I wonder how much the production units would cost, if the prototype costs 13 billions. 
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool - Richard Feynman
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Svartalf
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Re: Fusion Power
probably less, as some of the kinks have been smoothed at the prototype level...
nobody said building a nuclear reactor was cheap, neither is a fusion one.
nobody said building a nuclear reactor was cheap, neither is a fusion one.
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PC stands for "Patronizing Cocksucker" Randy Ping
Re: Fusion Power
The current prototypes are still far from the GW range of standard nuclear technology, so they still have to be scaled up.
The first principle is that you must not fool yourself, and you are the easiest person to fool - Richard Feynman
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Svartalf
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Re: Fusion Power
I suspect scaling them up still will lead to economies of scale rather than just costing more for larger size.
Provided this is done once the tech is reasonably perfected.
Provided this is done once the tech is reasonably perfected.
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PC stands for "Patronizing Cocksucker" Randy Ping
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Re: Fusion Power
The 13 billion research money is chicken feed compared to what would have to be invested to build and operate a viable power generation system.
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It's not up to us to choose which laws we want to obey. If it were, I'd kill everyone who looked at me cock-eyed! - Rex Banner
The Bluebird of Happiness long absent from his life, Ned is visited by the Chicken of Depression. - Gary Larson
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Re: Fusion Power
We will all be dead from measles and badger flu before this is up and running.
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Re: Fusion Power
If the Earth was powered by Confusion power, we'd be a buzzing hive of furious activity...
Nurse, where the fuck's my cardigan?
And my gin!
And my gin!
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Svartalf
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Re: Fusion Power
Embrace the Darkness, it needs a hug
PC stands for "Patronizing Cocksucker" Randy Ping
PC stands for "Patronizing Cocksucker" Randy Ping
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Clinton Huxley
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Re: Fusion Power
Confuscius PowerJimC wrote:If the Earth was powered by Confusion power, we'd be a buzzing hive of furious activity...
"I grow old … I grow old …
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled"
AND MERRY XMAS TO ONE AND All!
http://25kv.co.uk/date_counter.php?date ... 20counting!!![/img-sig]
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled"
AND MERRY XMAS TO ONE AND All!
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Re: Fusion Power
Clamfluxion power!Clinton Huxley wrote:Confuscius PowerJimC wrote:If the Earth was powered by Confusion power, we'd be a buzzing hive of furious activity...
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Salman Rushdie
You talk to God, you're religious. God talks to you, you're psychotic.
House MD
Who needs a meaning anyway, I'd settle anyday for a very fine view.
Sandy Denny
This is the wrong forum for bluffing
Paco
Yes, yes. But first I need to show you this venomous fish!
Calilasseia
I think we should do whatever Pawiz wants.
Twoflower
Bella squats momentarily then waddles on still peeing, like a horse
Millefleur
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Clinton Huxley
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Re: Fusion Power
Quimbustion power!
"I grow old … I grow old …
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled"
AND MERRY XMAS TO ONE AND All!
http://25kv.co.uk/date_counter.php?date ... 20counting!!![/img-sig]
I shall wear the bottoms of my trousers rolled"
AND MERRY XMAS TO ONE AND All!
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