[radley]

The gold rush of the moon is helium-3. It's supposed to be a clean and efficient form of energy. I expect it will be critical for expansion.

[adrianN]

Before Helium-3 has any value you first need reactors to fuse it. We're not investing a lot into building those, and right now it looks a lot like renewables+storage will be cheaper.

[darkwizard42]

I know what you mean, and I think the parent comment suggests that getting to the moon will empower enterprise and government to seriously consider further investment in those types of reactors. It is just one step to make it possible.

With the progress we are seeing in launching modules and supplies to space I think the calculus on what is cheapest might change (though I am all for investing heavily into renewables and improved storage as soon as possible)

[inglor_cz]

This is a chicken-and-egg situation.

Without Helium-3 available, you do not have any incentive to sink money into reactor R&D.

[adrianN]

A lot of the R&D also applies to fusion reactors with more mundane fuels.

[dTal]

That's a fantasy:

https://www.thespacereview.com/article/2834/1