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Atomic Insights

Atomic energy technology, politics, and perceptions from a nuclear energy insider who served as a US nuclear submarine engineer officer

Building a power plant in less than 6 months using small modules

November 19, 2008 By Rod Adams

Raser Technologies has recently started up a geothermal power plant in Utah that produces 10 MWe using a collection of identical, 200 kwe binary cycle units manufactured by UTC Power. It takes 50 of those units to produce the combined output, but by using these small, off the shelf machines, Raser was able to put together a commercial scale power plant in less than 6 months.

This project is an example of what I have been promoting for many years – small machines, built in series production can be combined to form a large power generation unit that can take advantage of the economies that come from having a larger, central generating unit. The manufactured generators can be delivered and installed much faster than one can put together a larger unit on site from large components. Not only that, but in some cases the smaller units can begin generating well before the entire station is built out.

Just think about what could be done with a series of 1-10 MWe nuclear heated gas turbines! Wonder if I should investigate even smaller unit sizes…

Take a look at the picture you can find on the UTC web site and compare it to the graphic on the Atomic Engines web site.

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About Rod Adams

Rod Adams is an atomic energy expert with small nuclear plant operating and design experience, now serving as a Managing Partner at Nucleation Capital, an emerging climate-focused fund. Rod, a former submarine Engineer Officer and founder of Adams Atomic Engines, Inc., one of the earliest advanced nuclear ventures, has engaged in technical, strategic, political, historic and financial discussion and analysis of the nuclear industry, its technology and policies for several decades. He is the founder of Atomic Insights and host and producer of The Atomic Show Podcast.

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