Quote:
Originally posted by techweenie
Have they figured out how to make nuclear power plants worth it?
It takes massive amounts of energy to build one; massive amounts of electricity to operate. And I believe they have to operate for many, many years before there is a net gain over the energy it takes to get them going... hydroelectric and geothermal seem to be somewhat more efficient.
|
Nuclear plants actually produce massive amounts of power relative to what they consume to operate (although I realize that isn't your total point).
Here's a idea of the amount of power that a nuclear plant produces: Assume you have a 1000 MWe coal-fired plant and a 1000 MWe nuclear plant. The nuclear plant will require 2000 lbs of nuclear fuel to produce this level of power output for one year. The coal-fired plant will require 89 one-hundred ton coal cars per DAY to maintain this power output.
I used to work at Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant. A 3-unit plant (each producing 1150 MWe). The plant cost $900 million to build back in the '70s (dirt cheap by today's standards). The primary driver for the high (er) cost of nuclear power these days are the phenomenal costs of ensuring safe operation. Some of these costs are worthwhile while others are wasting the rate-payers money, IMHO.
As soon as public opinion eases the problems of building nuclear plants (NIMBY), then we'll see more plants being built. IMHO, the only real issue with nuclear power is what to do with radwaste in the from of spent fuel rods, etc. That is an issue. Safety really isn't. Today's plants are very safe.
Mike