Frank's Musings

The recent affirmation of the realism of nuclear fusion energy promises a limitless energy future for mankind.  However, according to a recent article in the NYT, the electric power grids of the world are apparently woefully inadequate for delivering the megawatts that could ultimately relieve us of climate-changing reliance on carbon-generating power sources like coal, gas and oil.  Rural transmission lines are even now too weak to keep up with the rapidly growing supply of power generated by other sources of green power, like wind, solar, and hydro.

It will be necessary substantially to invest in raising their capacity and reliability if our energy future will be marked by greater dependence on electricity because of cheaper fusion generation and shifting from reliance on traditional polluting fuels.  The anticipated thirty-year wait for commercial viability of this non-polluting and virtually inexhaustible energy source may actually be needed to allow enough time for the transmission grid to grow strong enough to handle it.