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DukeMikeIII t1_j1v7m4l wrote

Reply to comment by CFDietCoke in ELI5 what would energy from nuclear fusion mean for humanity? by odyssey92

Fission and fusion aren't that different, just opposites. One takes radioactive materials and splits an atom making more radioactive waste. Fusion starts with hydrogen, the most abundant element in the universe, and outputs helium. No long lasting radioactive waste and can produce a literal metric fuck ton more energy.

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CFDietCoke t1_j1v7qur wrote

From an electrical grid perspective, not from "how it makes energy" perspective

And H3 is not the most abundant element in the universe.

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DukeMikeIII t1_j1v80zt wrote

From an electrical grid perspective, wind and coal aren't that different.

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CFDietCoke t1_j1v87qh wrote

Yes they are. Wind only generates power when the wind is blowing,. Coal has a carbon footprint per unit of electricity made.

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DukeMikeIII t1_j1v8tqt wrote

The grid doesn't care about anything other than power. Wind only generates when there is air movement and coal only generates when it's burning.

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