The reality of nuclear energy is inconsistent with dreams of a renaissance

[jpak]

http://www.guardian.co.uk/environment/cif-green/2010/aug/16/nuclear-energy-renaissance

Repeatedly in recent years there have been calls for a revival of nuclear power. Yet that renaissance never seems to come.

Of the more than 200 countries in the world, only 30 use nuclear power. In July 2010, a total of 439 nuclear power plants with a net installed capacity of 373.038 gigawatts (GW) were connected to various national electricity grids, about 1.2GW more than at the beginning of 2006.

Roughly 16% of total energy needs (up to 25% in the highly industrialised countries) are now met by electric energy. Nuclear fission's contribution to total electric energy has decreased from about 18% more than 10 years ago to about 14% in 2008. On a worldwide scale, nuclear energy is thus only a small component of the global energy mix, and its share, contrary to widespread belief, is not on the rise.

During 2009, for example, nuclear power plants provided 2,560 terawatt hours (TWh)– equivalent to 2,560bn kilowatt hours of electric energy, about 1.6% lower than during 2008 and almost 4% lower than during the record year of 2006. Early results for the first four months of 2010 for the OECD countries indicate that so far the 2010 results are as low or lower than last year.

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[FBaggins]

1. Oh please.

Of the more than 200 countries in the world, only 30 use nuclear power.

What a ridiculous standard. Did you know that of the more than 200 countries in the world, only a handful (3?) have traditional (CATOBAR) aircraft carriers. Obviously that means that they're a mistake, right?

How many countries have thermal-storage solar plants? What conclusions can we draw?

It is the author's multi-year campaign to convince others that nuclear is not a part of the solution... that is itself inconsistent with reality.

[madokie]

2. Inconsistent with your reality maybe

but not for many of us. Nuclear energy is neither safe, cheap nor co2 neutral and no amount of bull will change that. Waste, can you grasp that concept? I've been told that the solution to the disposal waste is just around the corner for 50 or so years now and it's not here yet.