Solar energy now overlaps in cost with nuclear fuel alone for "cheap" modular reactors
Solar energy now overlaps in cost with nuclear fuel alone for "cheap" modular reactors - Lemmy.world
Uranium is $128.30/kg [https://markets.businessinsider.com/commodities/uranium-price?op=1] After enrichment [http://wise-uranium.org/nfcct.html], conversion and fabrication that’s $3400/kg for 4.95% fuel. At 36-45MWd/kg [https://www.ans.org/news/article-4013/nuscale-responds-to-smr-critique/] and a net thermal efficiency of 25% or $12.5/MWh up front. With a 90 month lead time (72 month fuel cycle and 18 months inventory) at 3% this is $16.2/MWh Which some solar projects are now matching [https://reneweconomy.com.au/uae-awards-contract-for-huge-1-8gw-solar-park-addition-at-record-low-prices/]