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Originally Posted by bizaro86
Sounds good. My first question is always if this is efficient, safe, easy and cost effective, why hasn't it already been rolled out? There must be some downside that didn't come up in the video...
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My limited understanding is that the Uranium fuelled, water cooled reactors produce much more enriched weapons grade plutonium. This was a key consideration at the time this technology was being developed (i.e. WWII era) and implemented.
Furthermore, the large footprint and amount of material, cost of extracting the fuel, etc related with the water cooled reactors mean that these plants take the gillette "razor blade" business model approach. That is to say, they sell the electricity at a loss and make their profits selling the plutonium.
Keep in mind, I am just starting my own research into this subject and you should do your own reading if you're intrigued.