RE:Lockheed Martin's new fusion reactorLove reading about technical advancements especially in the area of Power Generation and Power Systems. It reminds me of just how far we have come in the ability to produce designs and operate very complex systems as a result of advancements in computer technology. The bulk power electricity grid at one time had to be built with a tremendous amount of margin because the ability to monitor and control the system was extremely limited. Computers have allowed systems to operate closer to their capacity resulting in reduced cost by avoiding the construction of new lines and infrastructure. Money instead was invested in advancements of data acquisition, control and contingency simulation to operate the power system more efficiently rather than maintaining reliability through over building the system (adding more lines and more generation).
The grid however remains at risk as contingency simulation and response times still have a significant lag but the laws of probability are entrenched in policy as to what is an acceptable operating state for normal and emergency conditions on modern continental power grids.
It is the goal of every system to operate so as to maximise economics. The closer we get at achieving real time monitoring of the power system and contingency simulation along with post contingency response the more efficient and safer the system can be operate at so as to maximise economies.
The same can be said for just about any industry on the planet. Investments in advance compute systems are going to be a fraction of the cost compared to the money they save in productivity and resources.
POET could provide a pathway to advance compute systems.