So should we dust off nuclear power and give it another try?

Sustainable and renewable energy.

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Linnea
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So should we dust off nuclear power and give it another try?

Post by Linnea » 05-26-2005 09:53 PM

....excerpt from article in the New Scientist

To answer that question we need to think about what we really want from our energy sources. We want them to have a small environmental impact, yet be able to supply energy on a huge scale. We want costs to be low, the method of generation to be safe and for there to be plenty of available fuel. The International Energy Agency estimates that two-thirds of the extra energy demand over the next 25 years will come from developing countries, so whatever sources we choose must be tradable worldwide. Also, in the post-9/11 world, we want energy sources that cannot be abused by terrorists or rogue states.

Nuclear scores high on its low CO2 emissions, but it loses out by leaving a nasty legacy: its high-level radioactive waste needs to be secured for tens of thousands of years. Despite 40 years of assurances from the nuclear industry that this is an "engineering problem" no one has solved it. And it scarcely makes sense to generate more waste when we cannot dispose of what we already have.

Another bugbear for nuclear power is that it appears to be expensive. Its costs have never been calculated to everyone's satisfaction, partly because government subsidies have muddied the water and partly because "back-end" costs for such things as waste disposal are uncertain. Nuclear power has certainly not won round free-market investors: no plants have built within deregulated electricity markets.

Perhaps nuclear's biggest disadvantage is international security. The level of confidence in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty and nuclear safeguards is low. North Korea is the latest country to show how easy it is to divert nuclear fuel to make weapons, while nuclear sites are likely to remain targets for terrorists. Such concerns limit where plants can be built.

So are there alternatives to nuclear? The cheapest option by far is to improve energy efficiency by using waste heat from power plants, say. Then there are renewable energy sources, which suffer none of nuclear's disadvantages, though they have problems of their own.

The chief criticism of renewables is that they will never supply energy on the scale needed. It is true that wind power alone will never do the job. But add in tidal power, micro-hydro and biomass, and the problem starts to disappear. Wind power and biomass are nearly as cheap as coal while other renewables, such as wave power and photovoltaic cells, are moving steadily towards competitiveness.

The environmental impact of renewables is generally low, though wind farms have run into problems, especially with people who do not want them spoiling rural views. But there are ways around this, such as building wind farms offshore or siting single or small numbers of turbines near towns, effectively recreating the medieval pattern of windmills.

Perhaps the best evidence of the potential of renewables comes from Germany. It wants to phase out nuclear power by 2025, so is switching rapidly to other sources. It already generates more than 8 per cent of its electricity from renewables, such as wind and biomass, and is the world's largest user of photovoltaic cells. It is on target for renewables to supply half of all its energy needs by 2050, reducing its carbon emissions to a fifth of their 1990 levels.

Given our limited resources, we must put our money behind the best global solution. Rather than reinvent nuclear plants, we must move towards leaner, more localized, sustainable ways to generate energy. That means more research and development into energy efficiency and renewables and a determined campaign to deploy them.

http://www.newscientist.com/article.ns? ... 624993.800

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sayntbrigid
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Post by sayntbrigid » 05-26-2005 10:09 PM

I have a friend Linnea, who is very involved in trying to get the wind farm going in massachusets. He is very hopefull and enthusiastic about its abilities, and its benefits.....so, try to keep a chin up.......there are some good people out there trying really hard....keep your fingers crossed :)

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17 Years & One Energy Crisis Later

Post by Riddick » 10-14-2022 12:59 PM

Perhaps the best evidence of the potential of renewables comes from Germany. It wants to phase out nuclear power by 2025, so is switching rapidly to other sources. It already generates more than 8 per cent of its electricity from renewables, such as wind and biomass, and is the world's largest user of photovoltaic cells. It is on target for renewables to supply half of all its energy needs by 2050, reducing its carbon emissions to a fifth of their 1990 levels.
So, how's that nuclear power phase out & rapid transition to renewables working out for ya, Germany? All the evidence suggests harnessing the potential of green energy hasn't exactly worked to your benefit. Quite the opposite, in fact.

The going's more than just a little rough right now. But this is no time to deviate from those aggressive green goals, is it? Greta says not to shutter those nuclear plants but that's short-term thinking, a back seat reaction to a bump in the road.

When the going gets tough, the tough get going. A Swede teen may cop out but it's time Germans show the world they're made of sterner stuff. Winter's coming. Save energy. Stay the course. There's no need for the public to panic... is there?

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Re: So should we dust off nuclear power and give it another try?

Post by Doka » 10-14-2022 02:54 PM

I have always said "A new source of power" will be released to give the people some relief. My mentors have been quite closed mouth on what and when. :D
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Environ-Mental

Post by Riddick » 10-14-2022 10:54 PM

Doka wrote: 10-14-2022 02:54 PM I have always said "A new source of power" will be released to give the people some relief. My mentors have been quite closed mouth on what and when. :D
Are they equally mum as to what color it comes in? Eco-extremist fashion plates will summarily dismiss any energy source that's not the purest shade of green.

Of course, solar & wind worshipers are color-blind to the decidedly non-green procurement process for their holiest of holy energy sources. Still, to them it's good as green, so long as it's not their own habitats being raped for resources.

Smug, self-righteous & egotistic, their service to nature is in fact not universal. So what's their real concern? It sure ain't humanity or having a firm grasp on reality.
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Re: Environ-Mental

Post by Doka » 10-15-2022 12:37 AM

Riddick wrote: 10-14-2022 10:54 PM
Doka wrote: 10-14-2022 02:54 PM I have always said "A new source of power" will be released to give the people some relief. My mentors have been quite closed mouth on what and when. :D
Are they equally mum as to what color it comes in? Eco-extremist fashion plates will summarily dismiss any energy source that's not the purest shade of green.

Of course, solar & wind worshipers are color-blind to the decidedly non-green procurement process for their holiest of holy energy sources. Still, to them it's good as green, so long as it's not their own habitats being raped for resources.

Smug, self-righteous & egotistic, their service to nature is in fact not universal. So what's their real concern? It sure ain't humanity or having a firm grasp on reality.
:D
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German Greens Say No To New Nuclear Fuel

Post by Riddick » 10-15-2022 09:03 AM

After bitter debate, the Green Party supported German Economy Minister Robert Habeck in his plans to operate two nuclear power plants in reserve in southern Germany by spring 2023.

However, the Greens said their red line on any limited extension would be the procurement of new nuclear fuel elements. The Greens would not agree to any legal regulation in the Bundestag that would procure new nuclear fuel.

The issue puts Habeck in a difficult position with the party grassroots, given its longstanding objection to nuclear power and the pride it took in being part of the first government to declare that the country would stop using it altogether.

Party co-leader Ricarda Lang said that new fuel rods or a return to nuclear power "will not happen with us." Renewable energies need to be expanded, and "nuclear power is not the future," Lang said.

Habeck also described a return to nuclear power as "wrong", adding: "There's no way that's going to happen to us."

"Thoughtfully and with determination," Habeck said , "this is how we lead Germany through the winter, this is how we give Germany security."

However, he admitted that parts of this path could be painful for the Greens. "But we will never confuse what is the problem and what is the solution. Fossil fuels and nuclear power are the problem," Habeck said.

FULL STORY

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Re: So should we dust off nuclear power and give it another try?

Post by Doka » 10-15-2022 10:18 AM

Like here , blocking streets, throwing soup on priceless art is certainly going to change minds*, (*"minds, term used loosely) Endless fear over things that have NOT happend ,yet. Of which means Consequences have NOT, Been thought out quite yet. And we are evidently Not Capable of taking care of the tramatic things that HAVE , happened that are already sitting on our door-step. If nothing else Earth Humans have become very messy minded, I do include myself in that.

Germany's problem is all Nations problem, All of Europe and the US. The squeeze is on. Do you know What I notice the most? It is the beginning of the unraveling of the dream of one world order! Germany and France* have already broken their own circle and reclaiming their own souvernity to solve Their own problems in their own Countries. A definate no no, In the NWO play book. Let the inner fighting Begin.!


*France withdrew it's support of Tanking Russia , it will not play that game , as Russia is still their main fuel supply.


If nukes fall it will Not be on the US.
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Trust The (Messy, Meddlesome) "Experts"

Post by Riddick » 10-15-2022 02:09 PM

Doka wrote: 10-15-2022 10:18 AM Endless fear over things that have NOT happend ,yet. Of which means Consequences have NOT, Been thought out quite yet. And we are evidently Not Capable of taking care of the tramatic things that HAVE , happened that are already sitting on our door-step. If nothing else Earth Humans have become very messy minded, I do include myself in that.
Very messy indeed. Yet many harbor the conceit they have it all figured out and thus feel compelled to 'impose their will' & 'force their way' into affairs they don't truly comprehend

I'm reminded of George Carlin's take on all the people afraid of everything who talk of saving the planet when we can't even take care of ourselves...

A mind should not be so open that the brains fall out; however, it should not be so closed that whatever gray matter which does reside may not be reached. ART BELL

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