Economic studies for heavy-ion-fusion electric power plants

We have conducted parametric economic studies for heavy‐ion‐fusion electric power plants. We examined the effects on the cost of electricity of several design parameters: cost and cost scaling for the reactor, driver, and target factory; maximum achievable chamber pulse rate; target gain; electric conversion efficiency; and net electric power. Using the most recent estimates for the heavy‐ion‐driver cost along with the Cascade reactor cost and efficiency, we found that a 1.5 to 3 GWe heavy‐ion‐fusion power plant, with a pulse rate of 5–10 Hz, can be competitive with nuclear and coal power plants.