Infinite Life: Trapped in a lifetime

"0.4 cents..."

Even though the old leader had already expected it, he still felt a little emotional.

In addition to the amount of energy produced,

The energy production cost of controllable nuclear fusion is also a key reason why countless people have unlimited expectations for it.

The current cost of thermal power generation is about 0.3 to 0.5 yuan per kilowatt hour.

If calculated according to 0.4 yuan.

The cost of generating electricity from thermal power and controllable nuclear fusion is exactly a hundred times different, with the latter only one percent of the former.

Perhaps this contrast is not obvious enough,

But from the perspective of the strongest perception of ordinary people,

Just like the cost of household electricity is also reduced according to this power generation cost,

The electricity bills of many families, which cost one or two hundred per month, will be reduced to one or two yuan per month.

As for the more important industrial electricity consumption, for those large electricity consumers, the cost of electricity consumption in industrial products will be greatly reduced, which means an increase in competitiveness and productivity.

But here, it is still the most basic and basic meaning.

Even if the construction cost of each commercial reactor is apportioned to each kilowatt-hour of electricity generated during its working life, a seemingly huge number is amortized by an even larger number.

This increased cost is still very small.

certainly,

In fact, from power generation to residential and industrial electricity consumption, there are also transmission costs in between.

But this part of the cost is not unique to controllable nuclear fusion power generation. Thermal power also requires transmission infrastructure.

in addition,

Even the power generation cost of 0.4 cents is actually just a business cost.

From a national perspective,

It doesn’t make much sense to think about business costs.

What is needed is sufficient energy resources under existing circumstances.

The power generation cost of 0.4 cents is already very low.

But in fact, the country is able to provide domestic power supply on this basis at a price lower than the cost of power generation.

It is possible to lose money on power generation and supply.

When there is sufficient energy supply, the other benefits derived are more than enough to make up for some losses in power generation.

Just like high-speed rail itself does not make money.

"Commander Mo, thank you, thank you for your contribution to the research of controllable nuclear fusion."

The old leader said sincerely to Mo Dao,

From this power generation cost, we can already see many changes that will be brought to China after the breakthrough of controllable nuclear fusion technology in the future.

After another pause, the old leader smiled again.

"In addition, maybe I am a little greedy. I would like to ask again, after the problems you mentioned, Chief Master Mo, are solved, how much can the cost of power generation be reduced?"

"It should be able to drop by an order of magnitude."

Mo Dao gave an answer.

The old leader paused for a while while listening.

At a power generation cost of 0.4 cents, it has dropped by an order of magnitude.

This power generation cost is almost negligible for the entire country, considering only the current household electricity demand in China.

Mo Dao looked at the old leader and said again,

"For controllable nuclear fusion technology, for now, we are just on the threshold. The use of controllable nuclear fusion technology should be able to continue for a long time."

Just like a fission reactor, if there is a first generation, there will be a second and third generation.

Fusion as a form of energy, deuterium-tritium fusion can only be regarded as the beginning.

Theoretically, most substances can undergo fusion.

If there is a sufficiently developed interstellar civilization, then the controllable nuclear fusion technology derived step by step,

It is enough to support this civilization, and it will be difficult to eliminate when it is used to a fairly developed stage.

As a source of energy, fusion is a pretty perfect technology.

Extended to the fusion of heavy elements, most matter in the universe can be used as an energy source.

Most people’s expectations for controllable nuclear fusion’s “infinite energy”

In fact, it should start with the next generation of nuclear fusion, helium-3 fusion, which is deuterium-tritium fusion.

The enrichment of helium 3 on the lunar surface makes this fusion method more imaginative.

Listen to Mo Dao's words,

The old leader couldn't help but have some wild thoughts.

Finally, he shook his head with a smile,

"Maybe I'm just a little greedy, I hope that one day."

After a pause, the old leader solemnly promised Mo Dao,

"Of course, Chief Master Mo, we will continue to give you the greatest support for your further research on controllable nuclear fusion technology, including research on helium-3 fusion, just like this time."

The old leader obviously knew a lot of information about controllable nuclear fusion in advance.

"Thanks."

After Mo Dao glanced at the two old leaders, he smiled and responded.

"Chief Master Mo, it should be all of us thanking you."

After talking about this matter,

The three of them discussed the follow-up matters regarding the successful ignition of the demonstration reactor.

"Commander Mo, the news of the successful ignition may not be announced until later."

"We still need some time to do some processing and arrangements."

This doesn't matter to Mo Dao.

Mo Dao just shook his head and said nothing more.

"In addition, the construction of the commercial reactor behind may also require a little more trouble for you, Chief Master Mo."

"OK."

After the formal exchange, the three briefly said some relaxed words and chatted for a few words before ending the exchange.

…

Mid-October.

The whole world seems to be the same as before.

In fact,

After the successful ignition of the Suiren demonstration reactor,

There was movement on the Chinese side.

Just like what the two old leaders said to Mo Dao,

It is necessary to make some advance preparations regarding the impact of the successful ignition of the demonstration reactor.

However, this preparation does not start now, but has already started since the demonstration project was established.

Up to now, we are just quietly handling the last bit of finishing work.

In terms of energy supplies, China has quietly released the last bit of savings from oil and natural gas supplies that were previously purchased externally.

Of course, some of these materials still have considerable value even if they are not used as fuel.

But if the price is about to drop, there is no need to pinch it and just buy the bottom later.

In addition, the international market

Many forces began to go short on energy futures.

Short selling is essentially ‘signing a prospective contract at the current price’.

When the futures price expires, the futures price becomes lower. If you buy a batch and sell it at the current contract price, you will make a profit on the price difference.

also,

Various internal adjustments are also being carried out in an orderly manner.

Just waiting for the critical moment to arrive.

And a series of movements outside,

For Mo Dao and the researchers on the demonstration reactor project team, there was basically no impact.

Although many researchers and technicians are still excited about the realization of controllable nuclear fusion, they are extremely shocked by the successful ignition of the demonstration reactor.

However, maintenance after the first ignition test of the demonstration reactor is still being promoted.

And began to cooperate with the power grid to connect the demonstration reactor to the power grid to provide power.

In mid-November,

With advance preparation and infrastructure construction,

The demonstration reactor was successfully connected to the power grid, and after the first ignition,

The overall overhaul has been completed and it has begun to enter normal and continuous operation.

then,

At a time when many people still didn’t know that controllable nuclear fusion had been achieved,

Many people have actually used the electricity generated by the controllable nuclear fusion demonstration reactor.

Then,

The time came in January of the following year.

In mid-January,

After completing some final preparations,

It’s finally time to announce the results of the demonstration reactor project.