Advantages of nuclear energy over wind or solar energy

[john]

This is something not many people think of. But we do have advantages of nuclear energy over wind or solar energy. Here are a few to list:

1. Capacity. It can produce any amount of power. All sizes are available. Increase or decrease of power production is instantaneous.
2. Area required/ Mw is very much less compared with the other two.
3. Not dependent on weather.
4. Clean energy like the other two.
5. Continuous supply unlike the others which are intermittent depending of wind velocity or cloud cover, day or night etc.
6. Can be located anywhere. So not unsightly.
7. Pay back period for the investment is low at today's cost. Not because the cost of installation is low but the power production is very high.
8. Nuclear fuel is available and hence it is not going to be in short supply any time now.

In every way nuclear power is the most advantageous, but the safety of operation and the perception that accidents can happen (caused by Chernobyl) and the consequence's are far reaching and so is keeping the growth under check.

[ryan]

Solar power, wind power, geothermal power, hybrid and electric cars, and aggressive energy efficiency are climate solutions that are safer, cheaper, faster, more secure, and less wasteful than nuclear power.

Currently we draw electric power from about 400 nuclear plants worldwide. Nuclear proponents say we would have to scale up to around 17,000 nuclear plants to offset enough fossil fuels to begin making a dent in climate change. This isn’t possible – neither are 2,500 or 3,000 more nuclear plants that many people frightened about climate change suggest. Here’s why: Nuclear waste, Nuclear proliferation, National Security and Accidents. Don't forget Cancer—nuclear power plants produce numerous dangerous, carcinogenic elements.

Wind is a clean, inexhaustible, indigenous energy resource that can generate enough electricity to power millions of homes and businesses. Wind energy is one of the fastest-growing forms of electricity generation in the world. The United States can currently generate more than 10,000 megawatts (MW) of electricity from the wind, which is enough to power 2.5 million average American homes. Industry experts predict that, with proper development, wind energy could provide 20% of this nation's energy needs.

Even if nuclear waste, proliferation, national security, accidents, cancer and other dangers of uranium mining and transport, lack of sites, increasing costs, and a private sector unwilling to insure and finance the projects weren’t enough to put an end to the debate of nuclear power as a solution for climate change, the final nail in nuclear’s coffin is time. We have the next ten years to mount a global effort against climate change. It simply isn’t possible to build 17,000 – or 2,500 or 17 for that matter – in ten years.

With so many strikes against nuclear power, it should be off the table as a climate solution, and we need to turn our energies toward the technologies and strategies that can truly make a difference: solar power, wind power, and energy conservation.

[MikellKaizer]

I agree with you Ryan nuclear energy is very dangerous kind of energy productivity though it helps in many ways but also it destroys more.

and for me it needs advance technology to battle this climate change and thorough study in energy solution that will not affect our environment.

Originally Posted by MikellKaizer

I agree with you Ryan nuclear energy is very dangerous kind of energy productivity though it helps in many ways but also it destroys more.

and for me it needs advance technology to battle this climate change and thorough study in energy solution that will not affect our environment.

[B]Nuclear power has always made me fear that one accident that they can't get under control ! Maybe I watched The China Syndrome too many times Welcome to EnviroCitizen [/B]

[paulp428]

Are there any real benefits of nuclear power?

[solarpowered]

Originally Posted by john

This is something not many people think of. But we do have advantages of nuclear energy over wind or solar energy. Here are a few to list:

1. Capacity. It can produce any amount of power. All sizes are available. Increase or decrease of power production is instantaneous.
2. Area required/ Mw is very much less compared with the other two.
3. Not dependent on weather.


6. Can be located anywhere. So not unsightly.
7. Pay back period for the investment is low at today's cost. Not because the cost of installation is low but the power production is very high.
8. Nuclear fuel is available and hence it is not going to be in short supply any time now.

In every way nuclear power is the most advantageous, but the safety of operation and the perception that accidents can happen (caused by Chernobyl) and the consequence's are far reaching and so is keeping the growth under check.

"4. Clean energy like the other two."
It's not exactly clean, you have residua from the uranium that is used to power the reactor which has a half time of few hundred years.

"5. Continuous supply unlike the others which are intermittent depending of wind velocity or cloud cover, day or night etc."
It's only continuous till you have materials to create fusion.
Yes

"6. Can be located anywhere. So not unsightly."
Yes it can be located anywhere, but is usually bad for the surrounding environment.

"8. Nuclear fuel is available and hence it is not going to be in short supply any time now."
It's available where there is uranium and it has the same problem as oil, it eventually runs out.

Nuclear power might be a solution for the very near future, but in the long run it's too dangerous, too messy and limited.

[Greensky]

I am not a big fan of nuclear energy. The produced energy itself is great, but the production process of the energy is a bit scary. I wonder if we can handle the waste well and safely with our current technology.

[GoOrganic]

I am not thrilled with nuclear energy. I'm not sure how the waste is handled, but if it's not handled properly and leaks out, it's going to be very bad for the environment and for us. In addition, there are dangers from accidents at the plants that result in radioactive leaks. I believe there are better alternatives, like solar and wind energy that are much more eco-friendly and need to be developed further.

[HippieGirl]

I used to be a fan of nuclear energy but I failed to consider natural disasters like the earthquake and tsunami in Japan. That's when I realized safety protocols may not be enough to avoid polluting the environment.

[Marlo]

Earthquake in Japan clearly showed how unprepared we (people, regardless of the location) are. Japan has one of the most active areas and they are prepared like no other country for this. Just look what happened to their nuclear powerplant.