Having no clue as to the start-up cost - this may or may not be viable. There will be a huge number of companies and individuals who will pay a 'service fee' to have someone else worry about maintenance, refueling and emergencies. I don't see a whole lot of people going 'off the grid' in the future. The only people I do see buying their own "Mr. Fusion" are the folk who are moving out into the wilds, and simply have an issue of cost in getting themselves put 'on the grid'. I have some co-workers who bought land in Wyoming, and the cost of getting power brought to their property is $65,000. These folk are forced to consider solar and wind. This could be a viable alternative.
Here is the key: whether it costs more or less, one needs to factor in that the people making money off energy now may not be the ones making money off it in the future. It means those making money off it now will fight change.
This reminds me a little of what is happening to the record industry right now. It is imploding, no matter what they try.
This reminds me a little of what is happening to the record industry right now. It is imploding, no matter what they try.
I think this cold fusion thing would do to the energy industry what MP3 has done to the music industry. And the former is considerably larger and more intertwined into our economic culture.