France’s next gen 1.6 GW reactor in Finland has overrun from 3 billion euros, to 4.5 billion. Assuming that the cost for successive plants falls to 3 billion euros, that’s ~$2500 USD per kilowatt. That is with a light water reactor. Breeder reactors are complicated (which usually translates to expensive).
Wind ~1300 USD per kW for peak capacity (which is 30% of the time in good places onshore) with standard wind turbines. The standard gearbox wind turbines have been having more problems than expected... The Enercon wind turbines that cost more, ~1800??? USD per kW might last longer than 20 years (there are some that are reaching 15 years). Wind turbines cost very little to operate. If the lifespan of those Enercon turbines is high, wind could be quite attractive. Yes, wind is unpredictable, and not enough to power our society but it might be cheap.
Recent developments in thin film solar cells have brought about <$1/watt at peak solar capacity. So, in places like Arizona, that’s analogous to $5000 per kW. Of course, that assumes there is enough Indium on earth. Graphite or nanotubes might substitute, but it has yet to be proven.
In short, I think in the right locations, wind and solar cost less than breeder reactors.
“France’s next gen 1.6 GW reactor in Finland has overrun from 3 billion euros, to 4.5 billion. Assuming that the cost for successive plants falls to 3 billion euros, that’s ~$2500 USD per kilowatt. That is with a light water reactor. Breeder reactors are complicated (which usually translates to expensive).
Wind ~1300 USD per kW for peak capacity (which is 30% of the time in good places onshore) with standard wind turbines. The standard gearbox wind turbines have been having more problems than expected... The Enercon wind turbines that cost more, ~1800??? USD per kW might last longer than 20 years (there are some that are reaching 15 years). Wind turbines cost very little to operate. If the lifespan of those Enercon turbines is high, wind could be quite attractive. Yes, wind is unpredictable, and not enough to power our society but it might be cheap.
Recent developments in thin film solar cells have brought about <$1/watt at peak solar capacity. So, in places like Arizona, that’s analogous to $5000 per kW. Of course, that assumes there is enough Indium on earth. Graphite or nanotubes might substitute, but it has yet to be proven.
In short, I think in the right locations, wind and solar cost less than breeder reactors.”
I was refering to the Thorium Breeder Reactors.