4 ms·
> and is able to generate energy on-demand Last time i studied this topic one of the main drawback of nuclear energy was precisely that it required accurate fo
by rixed 6y ago
> and is able to generate energy on-demand
Last time i studied this topic one of the main drawback of nuclear energy was precisely that it required accurate forecasts of future demand, so not suitable for "on demand" production, because of how long it takes to cool down.
Had anything improved in this area?
- SquareWheel 6y agoThat's a fair criticism. I don't know the numbers, but I'd be curious to see them. Especially around modern designs.
- Gwypaas 6y agoMore modern designs can ramp faster, but still not fast. The main issue is that the largest cost of a nuclear power plant is the capital investment to build it and staff to run it, which is fixed. In comparison fuel costs seem to hover at about 25%. Therefore you need to run your plant at about full power all day to have a chance to recoup the investment. With renewable, although intermittent, sources vastly undercutting nuclear on price many hours of the day this becomes an even harder calculation. Based on this nuclear is an uniquely bad pairing together with renewables, and it will only get worse. Say you can make massive profits on average one hour per day, but that means all other methods of energy generation of storage can make the same, and still undercut you. This isn't even factoring in that it is impossible to get insurance for a nuclear power plant.
- SquareWheel 6y agoIt sounds like it makes more sense with sufficient battery technologies then (which don't yet exist). Thanks for the information.