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CriticalUnit t1_irzqsqi wrote

> all of these articles have issues that could also pop up in cheaper power productions as well.

That's exactly the point. Nuclear also has these same issues and isn't really more reliable than cheaper power production.

So why would we pay more and wait longer to build it?

>All these stories aren't pointing at nuclear being unreliable,

Well that long list of nuclear plants in those links that are shut down currently can't be relied on to produce power at the moment. Call it what you will...

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LazyLizzy t1_is0i6em wrote

Except the point of nuclear is to replace coal and gas power plants with something much greener to help keep a strong stable power in the transmission lines.

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CriticalUnit t1_is0sjdz wrote

Except the point of renewables is to replace coal and gas power plants with something much greener to help keep a strong stable power in the transmission lines.

Maybe you could list the ways you think new nuclear can do any of that better?

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LazyLizzy t1_is1165j wrote

Thorium reactors and newer designs are incredibly efficient. On top of that nuclear waste isn't that big of a deal, there's plenty of places to keep it, but the biggest hurdle is people. Lot of people have boogeyman thoughst about anything nuclear thanks to Oil and Gas companies lobbying against it back in the 80's and 90's. I love renewables, I'm ready for them, however can they handle peak loads? Can they keep a stable output 24/7? We have to store excess power to help during peak loads or if something were to occur, what technoligies exist that's cost efficient and as good or better than just running a few nuclear plants in a region? Electrcity transmission for a country is complex and daunting and there's more to it than just "Plop some more turbines and solar panels".

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CriticalUnit t1_is4l8j7 wrote

> Thorium reactors and newer designs are incredibly efficient

not where is counts. They aren't economically efficient (Expensive)

>I love renewables, I'm ready for them, however can they handle peak loads?

when enough are deployed, absolutley. There are plenty of countries where they already do.

>Can they keep a stable output 24/7?

Again, yes they can. Have a google of Costa Rica or Portugal.

>We have to store excess power to help during peak loads

Sure, we have to do that now too. Nuclear also requires you to o store excess power to help during peak loads because you can't economically operate them in a flexible manner.

>what technoligies exist that's cost efficient and as good or better than just running a few nuclear plants in a region?

Literally all of them. Have a look at some actual recent numbers. Even Residential Solar is now the same price as nuclear.

>Electrcity transmission for a country is complex and daunting and there's more to it than just "Plop some more turbines and solar panels".

Sure, that's a nice red herring. Let me spice it up:

Electricity transmission for a country is complex and daunting and there's more to it than just "Plop in some more nuclear plants".

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