Who Killed the Liquid Fluoride Thorium Reactor (LFTR)?

[Bob Wallace]

142. Your quote...

You do realize that it applies to fuel burning systems? No, I don't think you do.

Nuclear gets hurt because it must deliver 24/365 in order to break even. When it gets included in a merit order pricing system it has to sell at a loss during times when less expensive power is available. Unlike gas which can be shut off and which has significantly lower capex nuclear cannot sit idle without suffering losses.

When utility companies have a number of providers that can deliver power part of the day for less than nuclear's break-even point nuclear is put in a position where it must charge more for those hours when the less expensive sources are not producing. That creates an economic situation called "extraordinary profits" which causes new players to enter a market.

Already we're starting to see coal and gas plants shut down because there's enough cheap wind on the grid to make their operation non-profitable, even with paid off plants. Anyone thinking about building a new nuclear plant is going to be aware that they are almost certain to be competing against cheaper power and that they will fail. That's why we've seen Exelon, Duke, and other utility companies abandon their reactor plans.

Again, the only places in the US where new reactors may be built are in the Southeast where regulations let utility company pass the high cost of nuclear on to their customers.