[pjc50]

Too late: the LFTR is still vapourware, although not as much as fusion, and the existing technology of reactors already takes ages to build and is prone to cost and time overruns. We need to keep the renewables buildout going while we wait for someone to produce a working non-pilot commercial LFTR.

[korantu]

Why even the focus on LFTR, what is wrong with proven technology in modular form? Just dont build reactors gigantic, make them walkaway-safe instead - [1], they are quite resilient - [2] and can be produced on a factory, so inspections are easier and costs are lower.

[1] https://www.nuscalepower.com/technology/design-innovations [2] https://www.nuscalepower.com/-/media/Nuscale/Files/Technolog...

[marcosdumay]

The "proven" technology was proven not to be reliable enough, to be too expensive for use, and to create some large problems down the line.

Besides, if you change the size, it's not "proven" anymore.

[wbl]

France and the US navy both rely on PWRs. France built a fleet to get the benefits of scale. Nuclear works.

[korantu]

This new smaller design solves reliability and cost issues of older bigger designs.

[Zigurd]

Modular nuclear power isn't proven to reduce waste storage costs, for one thing. Look at how long it took renewables to go from a theory to being a mature technology with a declining cost curve and full lifecycle experiences that make predicting cost of ownership very reliable.

It would be nice if there was a zero-carbon source of concentrated power that had a track record of being cost effective and not having nasty end-of-life surprises. This is why nuclear is seductive. But it has never lived up to expectations.

[greglindahl]

Modular would be great, that's a big part of why wind, solar, and batteries are doing so well these days.