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cmarschner | 1 year ago

My prediction is that the world will stabilize somewhere around 80% renewables and 20% nuclear. Maybe less. Prove me wrong

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Smar|1 year ago

I'd think more nuclear would be better for environment. Since sun does not shine around the clock and other renewables have larger negative environmental impact. Batteries for storage is not good either with today's technology.

Pure nuclear, or even as a majority production method, would be fool's errand, though. Unless someone manages to invent small enough reactors that can be started and stopped at will, to adjust a day's power demands. I doubt that can even be possible, though.

cmarschner|1 year ago

In the end it is a matter of economics. Right now there is no path towards nuclear becoming competitive again against wind, solar, battery.

Plus, storage and cleanup costs in case of failures are not even priced in and left to taxpayers.

This leaves nuclear to government actors influenced by lobbyists.

rcxdude|1 year ago

Given they don't complement each other, I predict that equilibrium to be unstable: either nuclear or renewables will grow to mostly replace the other, due to economic forces.

4fterd4rk|1 year ago

But they do complement each other... Nuclear provides the base generation that's online 24/7 while renewables are unstable and able to provide the peak demand.