Mini nuclear reactor airlifted

[SassyIrishLass]

I hate those guys. They come through our neighborhood where they KNOW the ROI on solar is ridiculously long because our electric bills are very low. But, they still pitch their spiel like I'm going to save a ton of money spending $40K on panels that will take 30+ years to return the investment, by which time the panels will have LONG been degraded past the point of usefulness.

They're not allowed in our community but I know people that says they're annoying

 

[SassyIrishLass]

It doesn’t. Too slow. Too expensive.

I don't think you have the first clue what you're babbling about

 

[Darkwind]

I've read they're being developed for the huge data centers. That makes sense

Yes.

As for exploration. They'll be needed in a pre-drop package and then specialized automated robots using solar generation to keep them going until they unpack the reactor and set it up. Complete with recharging stations for the robots.

Then the real fun begins.

 

[Marener]

They make more sense than solar power in winter.

If that’s the best you can do, then you don’t really have much.

 

[Marener]

I don't think you have the first clue what you're babbling about

I know some. The biggest SMR name out there was NuScale power but has seen nothing but bad news in the last decade. Their premiere project in Idaho fell apart.

The cost of their reactor is just not competitive.

 

[The Irish Ram]

Extremely useful in disasters areas. Instant electric.
There are a couple of companies you can invest in...

 

[meaner gene]

It sounds very helpful for niche military applications but small modular nuclear reactors make no sense for commercial development.

Ironically, it's for military use, where these reactors are the perfect solution for AI data centers.


While detailed output figures have not been publicly disclosed, compact high temperature reactors of this class are typically designed for power levels in the tens of megawatts electric, sufficient to sustain large military installations or forward operating hubs.

AI Data Center Consumption Key Details:
Capacity Range: Small AI edge facilities use 50kW-2MW; hyperscale AI facilities often operate in the 20-100+ MW range.

 

[SassyIrishLass]

Extremely useful in disasters areas. Instant electric.
There are a couple of companies you can invest in...

I don't know much about them but just a little research today reveals they definitely have a niche but presently not cost effective. Given time I suspect that will change as companies evolve into it and there's more than a few companies involved

 

[meaner gene]

I don’t have a huge problem with nuclear power, but I don’t want to see us waste money on projects which are doomed economically.

If the cost of the reactors are at "military" cost levels, such as in the multiple billions of dollars, they aren't really practical except for specialized applications, like powering military sites in remote locations.

But as I posted, if the cost is at a commercial level, they would be a perfect match for AI data centers.

 

[The Irish Ram]

But as I posted, if the cost is at a commercial level, they would be a perfect match for AI data centers.

The AI centers are what created the need for the new technology...

 

[Marener]

If the cost of the reactors are at "military" cost levels, such as in the multiple billions of dollars, they aren't really practical except for specialized applications, like powering military sites in remote locations.

But as I posted, if the cost is at a commercial level, they would be a perfect match for AI data centers.

AI data centers aren’t built in remote areas without access to the grid.

So it makes less sense.

 

[SassyIrishLass]

The AI centers are what created the need for the new technology...

AI center energy demands are a concern around here. Supposedly they're driving up energy costs

 

[meaner gene]

The AI centers are what created the need for the new technology...

I would say NO!
AI data centers need small reactors, but they don't need to be able to be airlifted by military aircraft.

The reactor type where they don't need huge emergency cooling backup, and radiation and meltdown containment structures, don't need to be small enough to be airlifted.

 

[meaner gene]

AI data centers aren’t built in remote areas without access to the grid.

So it makes less sense.

AI data centers aren't remote, but they are built where they can get cheap power. And being able to bring in a pre-fab ultra-safe nuclear reactor, would allow them to deploy them independent of local power costs, or local energy grid capacity.

 

[marvin martian]

AI data centers aren’t built in remote areas without access to the grid.

So it makes less sense.

The could be if they had these power sources.

 

[meaner gene]

I know some. The biggest SMR name out there was NuScale power but has seen nothing but bad news in the last decade. Their premiere project in Idaho fell apart.

The cost of their reactor is just not competitive.

And this sounds like the military version, at 10 to 1,000 times the price.

 

[meaner gene]

The could be if they had these power sources.

Actually the closer I look at it. The more it looks like these reactors have only military applications, because of their tremendous price.
Such as something NASA could put on the moon or mars, to power a colony there.

 

[Marener]

AI data centers aren't remote, but they are built where they can get cheap power. And being able to bring in a pre-fab ultra-safe nuclear reactor, would allow them to deploy them independent of local power costs, or local energy grid capacity.

Sounds like an expensive solution to something that isn’t really a problem.

 

[Winco]

Sure, klanboy.

View attachment 1219800

Thanks for posting that again Rube

Not one of mine
He lives closer to you.

 

[SassyIrishLass]

Sounds like an expensive solution to something that isn’t really a problem.

Like the EV boondoggle. Billions wasted on a fool's errand