Dec 20 2007It's About Time: Personal Nuclear Reactors
Similar to those used on nuclear submarines, the Toshiba-made Micro Nuclear Reactor is a personal power plant for your house/neighborhood. It's 20' x 6', about 100 times smaller than a typical reactor, making it a "fun-size" power generator -- like those little candy bars.
The 200 kilowatt Toshiba designed reactor is engineered to be fail-safe and totally automatic and will not overheat … The whole process is self sustaining and can last for up to 40 years, producing electricity for only 5 cents per kilowatt hour.
I dont' know if 5 cents per kilowatt hour is a good deal or not because I steal electricity from my elderly neighbors, but I imagine it is since they're bragging about it. The first unit is being installed in Japan in 2008 and if regulation allows (read: get freaking real) they'll be available in the U.S. in 2009. Just like the larger penis the drugs I take promise, I don't plan on seeing this in my lifetime.
Power your home with a mini nuclear reactor. No, really. [dvice]
Reader Comments
1. not a believer - December 20, 2007 10:23 AM
FAKE!
2. The Moat - December 20, 2007 10:33 AM
http://www.wisegeek.com/how-much-is-a-kilowatt-hour.htm
They're saying an average cost in the US is 8-9 cents, so this is better.
However, as there's no realy unit cost to this thing, that 5 cents number is probably the inital cost divided by its total expected lifetime output. In otherwords, you're paying the next forty years of electricity bills in one go.
Have fun with that.
3. Jumpin_J - December 20, 2007 11:10 AM
Same old question: What do you do with the waste?
4. nominus - December 20, 2007 11:28 AM
Another question: Where do you get the nuclear material, and could you just send me that in the mail?
5. gerwen - December 20, 2007 12:37 PM
"Another question: Where do you get the nuclear material?"
Perhaps it already contains all the material it needs for its intended lifespan. That's sorta the impression i got.
"What do you do with the waste?"
It's only a small reactor, little waste. Just put out with the morning trash.
6. Badaow - December 20, 2007 5:09 PM
Looks like Toshiba could be selling some snake oil:
http://www.yritwc.com/Presentations/Nuclear/nuclearreactorletterucs.pdf
7. john_smith - December 20, 2007 9:10 PM
Finally, my Adam West Batcave will be complete!
8. guate6 - December 20, 2007 10:42 PM
Impressive, I must say. Here's something better, why don't the people at toshiba make something along the lines of "a device that can capture the light and heat of a natural and free source, harness it, convert it, and allow people to get energy, not at 5 cents per kilowatt hour, but for free."
I do think this is neat and all, but solar energy and wind energy are still the best. I wish solar panels and wind turbines and all that weren't so expensive. When I get my house though, I will have solar panels. Fact: When Bill Nye the Science guy installed solar panels on his house, the electric meter started running...backwards!
9. john adams - December 21, 2007 3:02 PM
I understabd a similar device is under construction in South Africa the trick is not to have fuel rods but some sort of balls which when they are compressed generate if they get too hot they expand, so they self regulate.
Theses I am sure will become common in Africa.
I low wind turbines and solar and read www.homepower.com I have read all I can on climate change and think that that their is a place for this type of device.
Less deaths in the mines, less pulluted air. I dont think the waste issue is such big deal, The two lots of chemotherapy did not work for me but the radioterapy did some of us are not afraid of nuclear power