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Da_Vader t1_iu6ntfy wrote

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Madholm t1_iu7delc wrote

Yeah, I when I heard about those small nuclear power plants that could be buried, I had hoping they might start popping up. Either they aren’t safe, or are deemed too high a security risk.

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Scotty232329 t1_iu7irkv wrote

Though not buried, the first small modular reactor is being built in Ontario, which is also the home to Bruce Power

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Prestigious_Plum_451 t1_iu7whbc wrote

> Either they aren’t safe, or are deemed too high a security risk.

Neither, also they don't need to be buried etc... assuming you are talking about small modular reactors, and their micro sized equivalents.

Right now they are just stuck in regulatory, and design limbo, and slowly moving forward. Why we are not seeing them out and about really just has to do with upfront costs, and regulatory issues where we have shit fine on paper, but someone needs to take the financial risk to fund initial deployments of the tech before anyone else jumps on board.

The first such in the US to be deployed to Eielson air force base in Alaska for testing, and energy production. https://www.safie.hq.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/3169035/request-for-proposal-released-for-eielson-air-force-base-micro-reactor-pilot-pr/

Kind of like with space rockets... how many years was it all about govt funding of all sorts of testing, development, and deployment of tech before private enterprise could follow suit on proven ideas?

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bingobangobenis t1_iu8ap10 wrote

god I really hope SMRs take off. They have the potential to really change things

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Prestigious_Plum_451 t1_iu8fbfd wrote

yah, at least in remote regions if nothing else. Import ungodly amounts of refined hydrocarbons and burn wood on top vs... SMR for the next some decades to prove the same power and then some which can then be replaced as needed with another module with the other one sent back for repurposing/recycling.

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bingobangobenis t1_iuao1oi wrote

also the potential to put them in ships, among other things. Imagine cargo/container ships that are greener

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Prestigious_Plum_451 t1_iuaoyun wrote

> potential to put them in ships

Assorted militaries have been successfully doing that for what 60-70 years now?

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snap-erection t1_iu7ndu2 wrote

It's baffling to me how that can be. Like the government gives no shit at all about what you and I think about the wars and the defense budgets and the money they give out to their friends. But the same government is utterly bullied by people who don't want nuclear power plants? For decades? No it doesn't check out at all. There has to be some strong industry reasons.

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Iwasborninafactory_ t1_iu7og8l wrote

I saw a thing about building a road, and when asked about the route, they literallysaid they chose the path of least resistance, meaning they routed it through poorer areas because they would fight it less. It's a story as old as time.

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Majormlgnoob t1_iu7rxfv wrote

People with money can sue

Though obviously you can build planets in poor areas, but they're expensive so

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snap-erection t1_iu7tarr wrote

They can also build them in the middle of fuck nowhere. I mean where are the coal power plants? Are they on top of people's faces or are they also god knows where?

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