There are alternatives to nuclear reactors
There are indeed alternatives to uranium mining – fossil fuels, solar panels, wind farms, hydroelectric dams. As we are trying to find alternatives to fossil fuels, solar panels, wind farms, and hydroelectric dams can be considered.
The biggest two potential usurpers for nuclear power are solar panels and wind farms. It is not possible to generate all power by wind farms, as the current maximum output is 1MW. You would need hundreds to supply the energy necessary to power a major city.
It is also not possible for solar panels to be our major source of energy – the current efficiency rate suggests we need a panel 1km by 1km in size to generate the energy necessary to power a city of 1 million people in a developed nation.
Wednesday, May 23, 2007
Wednesday, May 9, 2007
The uranium debate
Many governments are trying to look at alternative to fossil fuels. One that has repeatedly come up us nuclear reactors and uranium mining. There has been heated emotional debate going on, especially in Australia, in relation to these matters. I aim to take a purely non-biased standpoint on this debate, in relation to what is being said. over the coming weeks, we will examine the rasons put forward for nulear reactors.
There is no alternative to nuclear reactors if we are to reduce fossil fuel use.
Currently, the most efficient energy is produced using fossil fuels, especially coal, at 60-80% efficiency. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric are around 20-30% efficient. Nuclear rectors currently are 50% efficient.
The reason why reactors are so enticing is the amount of potential energy output. If we used all the uranium in the core, we could get enough energy to power Australia continuously for a number of years. Since we can only use 1-2% of the core before we have to replace it, we can only imagine the amount of waste by-products generated.
Many governments are trying to look at alternative to fossil fuels. One that has repeatedly come up us nuclear reactors and uranium mining. There has been heated emotional debate going on, especially in Australia, in relation to these matters. I aim to take a purely non-biased standpoint on this debate, in relation to what is being said. over the coming weeks, we will examine the rasons put forward for nulear reactors.
There is no alternative to nuclear reactors if we are to reduce fossil fuel use.
Currently, the most efficient energy is produced using fossil fuels, especially coal, at 60-80% efficiency. Solar, wind, and hydroelectric are around 20-30% efficient. Nuclear rectors currently are 50% efficient.
The reason why reactors are so enticing is the amount of potential energy output. If we used all the uranium in the core, we could get enough energy to power Australia continuously for a number of years. Since we can only use 1-2% of the core before we have to replace it, we can only imagine the amount of waste by-products generated.
Subscribe to:
Comments (Atom)