Don’t believe nuclear hype
With all the “buzz” about the “new” nuclear power reactors as a solution to our electricity energy needs, it is important to focus on facts to put the hype into perspective.
First, our need for electricity is addressed in many ways. Conserving energy is the least expensive (efficient appliances, building insulation, etc.). To meet the need remaining after conservation we use solar, wind, hydropower, natural gas, oil, coal and nuclear.
Second, solar, wind and hydropower provide electricity directly. Solar is the most direct as it converts solar energy directly into electricity. Wind and hydropower directly turn turbines that generate electricity. These three are the most efficient as little energy is lost between the generator and the electricity generated. The rest, most notably nuclear power, produce no direct electricity. They just boil water. That produces steam to turn turbines that then generate electricity. Much of the energy created by these indirect energy sources is lost, as waste heat, between boiling water and using steam.
Third, the most optimistic projection for when these “new” reactors will be operational is the end of this decade. New wind and solar projects can, if the current administration does not impede them, be online within a year or less.
Fourth, the projected $4 billion to build one 345MW nuclear facility in Wyoming could fund the construction of thousands of MWs of construction of wind and solar projects.
Finally, nuclear power, like the girl with the curl in the middle of her forehead, is good when it’s good, but horrid when it’s bad — e.g. Three Mile Island, Fukushima, Fermi (“We Almost Lost Detroit” — a sodium cooled reactor like the one planned for Wyoming). It leaves a highly dangerous waste product with 1000 years of danger and no approved place to safely dispose of it.
The nuclear power industry is far better at producing effective public relations than at producing safe, reliable and affordable electricity.