US Small-Scale Nuclear Reactor Industry Gains Traction In Missouri 200
trichard writes with this quote from an AP report:
"Ameren Missouri is vying to be the first utility in the country to seek a construction and operating license for a small-scale nuclear reactor, a technology that's appealing to utilities because of the smaller upfront costs and shorter development lead times. The small reactors, about a fourth or less the capacity of full-size nuclear units, are appealing to the nuclear industry because they could be manufactured at a central plant and shipped around the world. By contrast, building nuclear reactors today is a more cumbersome process that must be done largely on site and takes years."
Re:How does the MTBF scale? (Score:2, Informative)
Yeah, let's downplay the need for safety measures. What could go wrong? Whatever you do, don't employ the truly fail-safe measures that CANDU reactors [wikipedia.org] have proven effective since the 60's. I mean, where's the fun in that?
I see your CANDU and I raise you LFTR reactors [wikipedia.org]
Re:How does the MTBF scale? (Score:4, Informative)
Anyway, yeah, I'm just a shill for the nuclear industry. Caught me. Dang.
Re:How does the MTBF scale? (Score:4, Informative)
The Japanese reactors are over 40 years old. Comparing modern designs to that is like saying my 2008 Lexus will have the same kind of failure rates as a 1968 .
The two are not even comparable.
Re:How does the MTBF scale? (Score:4, Informative)