Nuclear power

[UncannyGarlic]

Of course there are risks when using nuclear power, there are also risks with wind power and fossil fuels. Pretty much the only energy source that doesn't have any safety issues is solar, and right now solar technology isn't a viable alternative.

Solar still creates waste during production and it's main obstacles to being a viable alternative are cost (which isn't so much if you're talking long-term, especially compared to nuclear) and production rates (too low to really make any sort of quick switch). That said, distributed generation is big part of the ideal long-term solution, along with conservation and effiecency.

Geothermal is really the ideal energy source but it's not readily available in many areas nor is it immune to being fucked up through improper production.

It's called "Blade failure" and it's when a blade shatters and sends little bits of shrapnel flying through the air.

Most wind power is not produced in populated areas, like most power generation. You're also talking about the most extreme form of failure which is rare and shouldn't happen with proper maintenance.

your power company decides that is a good idea. they have a goal of replacing all their 30 coal-fired energy plants. they decide to do 5 a year for 6 years.

Nuclear powerplants take years to build so that timescale is unrealistic. You also have the larger issue of where to store the waste, I still say store it in every major city in order to ensure that people are actually invested in proper containment.

 

[Wintermind]

Most wind power is not produced in populated areas, like most power generation. You're also talking about the most extreme form of failure which is rare and shouldn't happen with proper maintenance.

This is basically true of nuclear power and a lot of things, actually.

Nuclear powerplants take years to build so that timescale is unrealistic. You also have the larger issue of where to store the waste, I still say store it in every major city in order to ensure that people are actually invested in proper containment.

I don't remember which plant it was, but I was watching some show on the science channel about nuclear power, and they stored the waste on site, in a special pool, full of water/stuff (I don't remember for sure), until it was fairly done being evil and then disposed of it somewhere else.

Alternatively, we could just put it on a space ship and mail it to the sun.

 

[UncannyGarlic]

I don't remember which plant it was, but I was watching some show on the science channel about nuclear power, and they stored the waste on site, in a special pool, full of water/stuff (I don't remember for sure), until it was fairly done being evil and then disposed of it somewhere else.

It's a spent fuel rod pool that they use to store rods until they are moved to permanent facilities, the rods don't loose their dangerous properties there or else there would be no need to seal them in a such expensive specialized vaults.

Alternatively, we could just put it on a space ship and mail it to the sun.

Oh yeah, because that's totally cost effective and a net gain in energy

I'd also like to point out to all of the folks who are touting how nuclear power has zero emissions that massive amounts of petroleum is consumed to build them, to build their waste storage facilities, and to ship and store said waste in said facilities.

 

[rogerspry]

Greetings from Finland!

We got a quarter of our electricity from nuclear power plants (stats from year 2005) and there is 2 new plants under construction.

If I remember correctly we got around 50/50 of the people for and against nuclear power.

Personally I think its a better option to fossil fuels and could say even safer if you think about the total deaths a year both of those cause.

Keeps us more self sufficient and there are Uranium deposits in Finland.

Though you need to remember most Finns are idiots when the earthquake/tsunami hit and the news of the nuclear power plants reached Finland, people rushed to the pharmacies and bought all the iodine tablets and started popping them. Guess its a good idea if you want your crap to look like coal but to use them against a nuclear accident that happened on the other side of the planet... not so smart.

 

[rogerspry]

Greetings from Finland!

We got a quarter of our electricity from nuclear power plants (stats from year 2005) and there is 2 new plants under construction.

If I remember correctly we got around 50/50 of the people for and against nuclear power.

Personally I think its a better option to fossil fuels and could say even safer if you think about the total deaths a year both of those cause.

Keeps us more self sufficient and there are Uranium deposits in Finland.

Though you need to remember most Finns are idiots when the earthquake/tsunami hit and the news of the nuclear power plants reached Finland, people rushed to the pharmacies and bought all the iodine tablets and started popping them. Guess its a good idea if you want your crap to look like coal but to use them against a nuclear accident that happened on the other side of the planet... not so smart.