I was thinking about how fusion plants could be built and run on a large scale once the technology was ready, and the thought of converting existing nuclear plants to fusion ones came up. What do you think? I’m sure a lot would depend on the process used, but I’m still curious to see what anyone has to say. Do you think it could work from an engineering standpoint? Financial and economic? What about political?

The concept of distributed energy resources cuts into the large centralized energy providers’ plans. Instead of repairing a decaying energy grid and out-dated reactors,  a diversification of locations in and around communities, such as industrial parks, is a wiser plan. Small 5 MW facilities will provide greater security for the nation and cost less than dealing with large scale projects. More jobs will be created and saved at the local level. The resources being spent to upgrade infrastructure on a grand scale are being guided by some misguided federal people.

A bigger issue will be to get the many licenses for generating power at a local level, this may even become a political battle. Most states have laws that require a license if you generate more than a certain amount of electricity. Speaking with a local city mayor, he said, “I don’t want my city to become a utility company.”  So there are many complicated issues to implementing these small fusion reactors, but information, education and understanding the issues will provide the keys to a stronger energy system and keep the political battles to a minimum. 

The Nuclear Facilities will need to enter into a period of downsizing and outsourcing to smaller independent Focus Fusion facilities when they come on line. So will the coal and gas fired plants as well. This will take time to do, but planning is good.

Prepare the Plan and Plan to Prepare

It sounded better than, “Those who fail to plan…” We may not have a working reactor at this time, but understanding the climate of public perception and miss-perception about the many aspects of fusion needs to be planned for. Distancing the public’s perception from current Fission reactors will be a major undertaking in public relations. They may think, “Oh, you’re just replacing a reactor with a new one. What about radiation and waste?” 

Part of your research needs to ask the question. “What do you know about…?”  Guaranteed it will be twisted and clouded by someone who doesn’t like your success. Why do you think big oil and big electric are on a marathon of advertising about how we all think alike. I don’t think that way at all.

What is the (actual) installation cost per Kilowatt of a: (approx)

(overnight cost)  Nuclear 525 MW facility?($16,807 DOE est.)  What are your long term waste storage costs?  _________
 
Per kilowatt of a 5MW wind turbine? (_____)  And, what is its efficiency rating. (______)

Per kilowatt of a 1 Kilowatt solar installation at a residence?($7,000.00 to 9,000.00 after rebates)  And, what is its efficiency rating?(18%). ($7,000.00 to 9,000.00 after rebates)

Per kilowatt of a 5MW Focus Fusion facility?

They will want to know the bottom line when it comes time.