Naked Science Forum

Non Life Sciences => Physics, Astronomy & Cosmology => Topic started by: MarianaM on 21/08/2019 16:18:42

Title: Can fusion power use the same facilities as fission power?
Post by: MarianaM on 21/08/2019 16:18:42

Ed is wondering...

If and when fusion power is developed to a usable form, will it be able to take advantage of the infrastructure already in place at the various closed fission facilities around the world?

What do you think?

Title: Re: Can fusion power use the same facilities as fission power?
Post by: alancalverd on 21/08/2019 18:46:58

Yes and no!

Whether fusion reactors are used for direct generation of electricity or simply as heat->steam sources, everything else in a nuclear power station apart from the fission reactor can be used to control and distribute any source of electricity.

But the amount of space and ancillary equipment needed to decommission a reactor may make it uneconomic to build a new fusion unit in the same location.