this post was submitted on 01 Sep 2023
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U.S. Air Force Selects Fast Microreactor for Nuclear Power Pilot (www.powermag.com)
submitted 1 year ago by lntl@lemmy.ml to c/worldnews@lemmy.ml
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The Defense of Logistics Agency (DLA), acting on behalf of the Department of Air Force (DAF), on Aug. 31 issued a Notice of Intent to Award (NOITA) that selects the Santa Clara, California–based nuclear technology firm’s Aurora Powerhouse for its Eielson Air Force Base pilot and initiates an acquisition process to potentially award Oklo a 30-year, firm-fixed-price contract to pilot the advanced nuclear energy technology.

I feel like this should have been an easy contract for renewables to win. Of course, the government is going to waste money on nuclear when they could have went with wind and solar.

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[–] p1mrx@sh.itjust.works 16 points 1 year ago (1 children)

when they could have went with wind and solar.

Eielson air force base is in the middle of Alaska. They get 4 hours of daylight in the winter, and minimal wind.

[–] ZMonster@lemmy.world 5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

I used to do wind studies in remote regions in Alaska. We have very reliable albeit low velocity winds during the winter months. Just FYI.

[–] p1mrx@sh.itjust.works 3 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Here's a map: https://windexchange.energy.gov/maps-data/319

Maybe it's possible, but central Alaska is relatively wind-poor compared to the great plains region.

[–] ZMonster@lemmy.world 1 points 1 year ago

Yes, it's what we call low velocity wind. It tends to be very laminar even at low altitudes due to the lower brush and tundra. There were some low velocity turbine concepts at the time but there was just no interest for it. But there is a massive energy resource available at a time when you need it here most. Hopefully things change. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯