It's a little geeky, but there's a pointer to a talk that the guy gave at Google (which is also a great intro into the issues, plus funny commentary, but again, fairly geeky) ... but it's an interesting take on "how do we power the future?" ... also interesting is that he's not interested in making money on it, though he says of course there's plenty of that in there, too.
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Now, in a proposal titled "Should Google Go Nuclear?"
[ video.google.com/videoplay?docid=1996321846673788606 ],
Bussard presents an alternative to thermonuclear fusion. He
claims an inertial electrostatic confinement (IEC) reactor
can provide fusion power that is simpler, cleaner and cheaper
than would be possible under the various routes now being
pursued by the Department of Energy.
"Everything [the DOE] is doing is highly radioactive and
expensive--measured in tens of billions of dollars, with
projected run-out costs of greater than $12 billion, plus
another $30 billion over the next 20 or 30 years. The
United States has already spent $18 billion [on fusion],"
said Bussard. "And there is no end in sight."
By contrast, Bussard estimates startup costs of $200 million
for an IEC fusion reactor that would operate at 95% efficiency. ---