One issue here is that from what I can cather the Xlinks project is still in the planning phase.
There have been similarly ambitious projects in the EU in the past, and all were eventually shut down. In other words even the estimates there might be too optimistic.
For example multi-MW scale energy storage in batteries over several hours would be as much of a first as an energy breakeven in fusion from my knowledge.
Thanks Victor. I agree, even for the optimistic planning phase it seems that the project is cost comparable to nuclear (with 3.6GW nuclear set up costs being 22B$) but provides “average 20h a day power”. timeline is stated to be 2029, again, in the ballpark of nuclear energy of 5-10y.
So this project is not quick nor cheap and you get much less than nuclear power (with current day reactor technology, working in the field for several decades).
BTW: it is planned to take up 1500 square kilometers, another reason to be in the desert...
One issue here is that from what I can cather the Xlinks project is still in the planning phase. There have been similarly ambitious projects in the EU in the past, and all were eventually shut down. In other words even the estimates there might be too optimistic. For example multi-MW scale energy storage in batteries over several hours would be as much of a first as an energy breakeven in fusion from my knowledge.
Thanks Victor. I agree, even for the optimistic planning phase it seems that the project is cost comparable to nuclear (with 3.6GW nuclear set up costs being 22B$) but provides “average 20h a day power”. timeline is stated to be 2029, again, in the ballpark of nuclear energy of 5-10y.
So this project is not quick nor cheap and you get much less than nuclear power (with current day reactor technology, working in the field for several decades).
BTW: it is planned to take up 1500 square kilometers, another reason to be in the desert...
Probably not a rational cost effective choice.