What the chances of building and running a small nuclear power plant for my home?
Answer:
I assume you're kidding, but in case you're not: You would have to build a reactor, which you probably can't, and then you'd have to get a hold of a substantial quantity of a useful isotope, which you probably can't.
But even before that, there is no way you would ever get government clearance to build a private nuclear plant in a residential zone. The dose limits for civilians are very strict, and even stricter for infants and pregnant women, both of whom would potentially be in your area. The potential health hazards and the public perception of radioactivity would cause an outcry against some local guy building a reactor in his basement.
My advice: give up that dream and put solar panels on your roof.
Not a chance.
In Popular Science magazine a few months ago, they featured a teenager who built a nuclear power plant. You might look into it.
Firstly, there's no such thing as a "small" nuclear power plant. Secondly, the potential health and safety hazards would be staggering. It takes hundreds of engineers and technicians to run and maintain a nuclear power plant, not just one person. Thirdly, substances like uranium are tightly regulated by governments of most civilized countries. Most countries also have laws regarding nuclear proliferation.
I don't think I need to mention that purchasing Uranium for your private nuclear power plant would be much more costly than simply paying your electric company.
A good alternative: put up a wind turbine next to your home -- it's completely clean, free energy.
It's hazardous, so I don't think you'll be able to pull it off legally. ;)
Can you say the word "Zilch" to describe your chances?
There are enough restrictions on radioactive fuels, requirements for approval by your neighbors and every government body imaginable, and wacko rules (like needing to give all of the people in your area an iodine pill to eat in case of an accidental radiation release) that it will never happen.
Chances are ZILCH.
Theoretically:
You could quite easily build one that would fit in the 2 CAR GARAGE of a Single Family House!! Ignore tastywheat.
The Navy and Army have small reactor technolgies. In fact the Army has built reactors that fit inside of a tent.
Sure their was a kid that did this but got arrested.
Search radioactive boyscout.
Absolutely nil.
Chances are, you've expended more electrical energy thinking up this question than you'll ever experience from the power plant you intend.
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