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Nuclear-driven technologies that could reduce the cost of electricity by several fold
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TLDR
In this paper, a general discussion is given on the characteristics that nuclear energy sources must have in order to minimize fuel cycle costs, and two unconventional methods are covered for generating electricity with dramatic reduction in cost.Abstract:
Dramatic reduction in the cost of electricity may potentially be achieved utilizing unconventional nuclear-driven technologies. The cost of electricity has three major contributors; fuel cycle cost, containment cost, and electrical generator (balance of plant) cost. A general discussion is given on the characteristics that nuclear energy sources must have in order to minimize fuel cycle costs. Two unconventional methods are covered for generating electricity with dramatic reduction in cost. One, is a water pump and contains low- technology components. The other is a plasma MHD generator and contains high-technology components that require further development, but may produce electricity at only 1/10 the present cost. A systems economic analysis is outlined that can be used to guide and evaluate the performance of various nuclear-driven electrical generating technologies to be pursued in future work. 11 refs.read more
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