3 ms·

how does it put them on the same scale? nukes are online 80%+ of the time.

• epistasis 6y ago
  I think the capacity factor of nuclear is much closer to 95% or higher these days, but call it 100% for simplicity PV capacity factor is typically 16%-28% [1], which adjusting the W/kg, gives us: Solar PV: 0.8W/kg - 2.8W/kg, capacity factor adjusted (with supporting infrastructure weighing 2x the panels, a total spitball) Nuclear: 0.8W/kg - 4.5W/kg, capacity factor adjusted, two different modern reactor designs, concrete only. With this ratio, higher numbers mean better power densities, and the ranges completely overlap between nuclear and solar PV. Nuclear isn't achieving orders of magnitude better power density over solar. [1] https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=39832 https://www.eia.gov/todayinenergy/detail.php?id=39832
  • mlyle 6y ago
    You're still not adjusting for actual life (solar ain't making nameplate power 15 years in, for instance). No one claimed an order of magnitude better. Nuclear looks somewhat more sustainable than renewable, and it can do some things renewables can't. We should be doing both.
    • inter_netuser 6y ago
      It's just so funny to read comments on here. How can one even imagine a space-faring civilization powered by wind mills?
      • runarberg 6y ago
        Nuclear is a perfectly cromulant technology for space vehicles. It is not a good technology to power cities on earth in the 21st century however.
      • pfdietz 6y ago
        I suggest this is a problem with your imagination, not a problem with wind turbines.