Spartan Spirit - Best for the West - Episode 6: Nuclear Power Generation

It’s become a point of contention because of the drive for zero carbon emissions in Western nations.

The podcast covers:

How electricity works

Global usage rates

The different ways to produce electricity. Global figures for 2021:

(2020 here: Electricity Mix - Our World in Data)

#1 is coal: 36%

#2 – gas – 22%

#3 – hydro – 15%

#4 – nuclear – 10%

#5 – wind – 7%

#6 – solar – 4%

Most Western politicians buy into the notion that we should reduce carbon emissions. Thus, there is a drive in the majority of Western nations to reduce carbon emissions and increase ‘green’ production of electricity. The green methods are hydro, nuclear, wind and solar.

Which of these should we pursue?

Key questions:

1.     Is it important to ensure we have electricity when we demand it, ie to have some excess capacity and to have it regardless of whether it’s day or night, cloudy or sunny, windy or still?

2.     Is it important that the cost be kept to a minimum? Would you be willing to pay extra if it means we can cut carbon emissions, or, is cost the most important thing for you?

3.     Is it important to consider the net total carbon footprint of the method?

4.     Is it important to consider other environmental issues, such as method of construction, waste management (ie, where do all the solar panels go when they are used up, or the nuclear material), or, the environmental damage done by damming rivers?

5.     And, what about risk?

Death rates per unit of electricity production (ourworldindata.org)

Australian Greens Senator-led Senate Environmental and Communications Legislation Committee: nuclear power generation is  “ unproven, dangerous, and more expensive than renewables”.

Environment and Communications / Senate Committees

6 reasons why nuclear energy is not the way to a green and peaceful world - Greenpeace International

In summary, the issues is rife with misinformation. Get informed. Go nuclear - it makes TOTAL sense!