Mini-nukes

[guppy]

Why is there so little coverage by the media concerning mini-nukes?  There are several articles that have been posted on nukeworker and a few more that are listed below.

http://www.motherjones.com/blue_marble_blog/archives/2008/11/10792_mini_nuke_plant.html
http://www.hyperionpowergeneration.com/index.html
http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/gadgets/household/alaskan-town-oks-mini-nuke-033409.php
http://www.counterpunch.org/hoffman12282007.html

Is anyone excited about these?

I would be interested in hearing from others that have additional information on this topic.

[Gamecock]

Here's another company that is in the mix as well.



http://www.nuscalepower.com/

[HydroDave63]

Reminds me of the hoopla surrounding the PBMRs...looks nifty, but still waiting for them to actually show up....

[SloGlo]

this stuff's been reported for over a year.  pop sci hassa article on them in either this months oar last months issue.  got one goan in alaska in a cupla years, i think.

[alphadude]

you got to look at the big picture- these little babies have the potential to put a hurtin on the big utilities. All the PowerPacs are in the lobbies to keep these items low profile. Hyperion is looking for a site for construction either in NM or Idaho. Because of design these micro nukes can be on line and in service in about 5 years. Utilities have traditionally charged small communities more money for power due to T&D, fuel adjustment etc which actually that capital is not stranded and was realized years ago. so the small community serves as a cash cow for the big power companies. Hyperion design can cut out T&D cost, fuel adjustment etc and get the kilowatt hour charge back to 1980 rates pretty damn quick, putting more money back into the middle class pocket.