That reactor type is a proposed design, never been used in anger as far as I can tell (via a quick google, admittedly!). So yes, we still do have a requirement to store nuclear waste.There's no requirement to store nuclear waste if new technology is used.
The travelling wave reactor is a good example.
At the moment we pump the waste from burning fossil fuels into the air, killing tens of thousands of people every year and harming millions.
That's kind of the point though, isn't it; we've not invested anything worth talking about in what is a proven green energy.That reactor type is a proposed design, never been used in anger as far as I can tell (via a quick google, admittedly!). So yes, we still do have a requirement to store nuclear waste.
The reactors used is US Nuclear Submarines have continually been refined over the years. Small self contained units with a 30 year life, before refueling is required.The last nuclear power plant built in the USA was commissioned in 1978. It was designed over 50 years ago. Imagine if we all drove around in cars and flew around in aeroplanes which were designed over 50 years ago? Imagine the amount of plane crashes and road deaths. The idea that the safety of nuclear power should be based on plants that were designed and built before CAD software and modern designs, materials and standards is ridiculous.
Now imagine the pollution and inefficiency of 50 year old cars and aeroplanes relative to new ones. Apply the same logic to nuclear power stations.
Google has been refused planning permission today for a data center, mainly because the grid is already overstressed in the Dublin area. This is before any significant uptake of Electric vehicles.The grid will absolutely not be overwhelmed
Ah look, money talks already. Overnight rates (when most charging occurs) are peanuts due to wind. And there’s plenty of studies that show EV charging generally supports grid stability, especially when V2G becomes more widely available - as it is already in recent Hyundai models.Google has been refused planning permission today for a data center, mainly because the grid is already overstressed in the Dublin area. This is before any significant uptake of Electric vehicles.
Rolls Royce have been trying to turn this design into safe, civilian-operable, economically effective SMR’s (small modular reactors) for about a decade now. It’s clear the €€€’s just don’t add up…. yet, maybe.The reactors used is US Nuclear Submarines have continually been refined over the years. Small self contained units with a 30 year life, before refueling is required.
We, as in Ireland? Or we, as in humanity?That's kind of the point though, isn't it; we've not invested anything worth talking about in what is a proven green energy.
Yes, humanity's issue. The Green agenda has been polluted by a political agenda from the start. That's a shame because the science of climate change stacks up but the accompanying political ideology doesn't.We, as in Ireland? Or we, as in humanity?
Not really Ireland’s place, mostly because we don’t have a defence want/need for the residual product and the costs would bankrupt us.
The old line that we've been 20 years away from Fusion for the last 60 years springs to mind. Why not do both? We could have travelling wave reactors, which use existing nuclear waste as fuel, up and running within a decade.As for humanity, big bets being placed on fusion rather than fission… ITER, etc.
The grid is the cable network. It doesn't matter how much cheap green electricity might be available.Ah look, money talks already. Overnight rates (when most charging occurs) are peanuts due to wind. And there’s plenty of studies that show EV charging generally supports grid stability, especially when V2G becomes more widely available - as it is already in recent Hyundai models.
I know I won’t be changing my EV for another one without V2G. Have a 5kWh home battery, I’ll have another 60+ sitting in the driveway.
You’re seeing the risk in charging needs rather than the massive, massive opportunity in electricity storage. The likes of Octopus in the UK already offer features to control your battery so they can dump in free/otherwise curtailed electricity as the need arises.
And the energy regulator has authorised increases in this charge to pay for "grid stability " and putting green energy on grid. I heard an esri economist talking about it this morning. She basically did alot of talking alot of buzz words but actually said nothing about what exactly eirgrid are doing to stabilise the grid, also she wasn't questioned about the fact that most of that infrastructure was put in decades ago anyway . She quickly mentioned something about buying generators, are those the generators bought by eamon Ryan but still stuck in Dublin port for last 2 years because too heavy for port tunnel? These are the guys that are going to deliver hydrogen generation from surplus wind by 2030!!The grid is the cable network. It doesn't matter how much cheap green electricity might be available.
The grid is at straining point already.
Google has been refused planning permission today for a data center, mainly because the grid is already overstressed in the Dublin area. This is before any significant uptake of Electric vehicles.
Why do you ascribe picking winners and losers to “green ideology”… society has literally never been so capitalist, so I’m pretty sure it’s the market deciding on the bets, not Eamon Ryan and co! The economics of renewables are compelling (auction rates falling, battery prices falling, bigger turbine tech, perovskites in solar PV, etc) while Hinckley Point C is a white elephant. I suspect that’s got more to do with the technological winners than nonsensical “green agenda” mutterings!Yes, humanity's issue. The Green agenda has been polluted by a political agenda from the start. That's a shame because the science of climate change stacks up but the accompanying political ideology doesn't.
The old line that we've been 20 years away from Fusion for the last 60 years springs to mind. Why not do both? We could have travelling wave reactors, which use existing nuclear waste as fuel, up and running within a decade.
back to the political ideology; science and engineering are the answer, not massive societal changes. Few things give us more personal freedom and autonomy than a car. We should be accelerating the process by which we can produce and run them is a sustainable way rather than looking to ban them or restrict their use to rich people (and that in effect is what the political-green agenda is doing). We are not going to stop driving or flying. We might (and should) eat less meat but the solution in an age of information and energy is to produce energy sustainably.
As for cars vs bikes, simple geometry has no time for your anti-green eye-rolling. If every working person in Dublin tried to drive to their workplace at 8am, you wouldn’t make it out of your driveway!
Or, and bear with me here, you could be a little less obtuse and check the population stats on cso.ie and stop acting like *most* people have 50km+ commutes.Presumably in conor_mc's green microcosm every worker in Ireland lives in Dublin and starts work at 9 am!
Where did I do that?Why do you ascribe picking winners and losers to “green ideology”…
Absolutely incorrect. Governments in the developed world gather and redistribute more income through taxation than at any point in history. 100 years ago there was no welfare, no free healthcare, limited free early yeas education, no old age pension, etc etc. We have never been more socialist.society has literally never been so capitalist,
No, we engage in social engineering all the time as does the rest of the developed world. Governments need to fund the risks that private capital finds unattractive. That's always been the case.so I’m pretty sure it’s the market deciding on the bets, not Eamon Ryan and co!
I'm all for the green agenda. I'm just for one that is based solely on what produces the best outcomes. The investment in the development and advancement of nuclear relative to other forms of renewable green energy has been tiny. That's based on an outdated and factually incorrect emotionally driven dislike and fear of using nuclear power.The economics of renewables are compelling (auction rates falling, battery prices falling, bigger turbine tech, perovskites in solar PV, etc) while Hinckley Point C is a white elephant. I suspect that’s got more to do with the technological winners than nonsensical “green agenda” mutterings!
What anti green eye rolling?As for cars vs bikes, simple geometry has no time for your anti-green eye-rolling.
I frequently cycle into work but I'm fortunate enough to live in Dublin. I start work between 7 and 7.30 so traffic isn't really a problem whether I cycle or drive. It takes 30-40 minutes either way. Public transport takes and hour to an hour and a half.If every working person in Dublin tried to drive to their workplace at 8am, you wouldn’t make it out of your driveway!