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243 points greesil | 2 comments | | HN request time: 0s | source
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apples_oranges ◴[] No.44636362[source]
Looking at the picture, I wonder if complexity of these devices will significantly be reduced once it finally works. I assume a lot of the bells and whistles are needed to find the way, but once it's found..
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empath75 ◴[] No.44637055[source]
The real problem with fusion power is that even if they figure it out, it still won't be cost competitive with solar and wind.

Economically all the cost of building a "boil some water and turn some turbines" plant is _already_ in the "boiling some water and turning some turbines" part of the generation, and even if the heat part of it was _free_, the rest of it would be too expensive to bother building a plant for it, compared to just building solar and wind generation and some better batteries.

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JumpCrisscross ◴[] No.44639322[source]
> real problem with fusion power is that even if they figure it out, it still won't be cost competitive with solar and wind

This is difficult to say when comparing an emerging technology with an established technology in an emerging economy.

Based on every historical prior, it would be surprising if there weren't diminishing returns to solar and wind. And I wouldn't underestimate the degree to which power is, in part, fashion. Today we value emissions. Tomorrow it may be preserving and expanding wild spaces.

On a practical level, fusion research doesn't compete with solar and wind deployment. Pursuing both is optimal.

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1. davrosthedalek ◴[] No.44641821[source]
Additionally, the total amount of solar and wind is limited. Surely more than we need now, don't get me wrong, but how much more? Factor 2? 10? I could see a future that is extremely energy hungry, and not just because of AI.
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2. JumpCrisscross ◴[] No.44643685[source]
> the total amount of solar and wind is limited

I'd be shocked if we max out on insolation before area we're willing to cover with solar panels and windmills.