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Or the cost of renewables + energy storage + smarter flexible loads will just become lower than nuclear all-in-all. Seems to me that, now that both transportat

by audunw 4y ago

Or the cost of renewables + energy storage + smarter flexible loads will just become lower than nuclear all-in-all. Seems to me that, now that both transportation and grid management is pouring bucketloads of money into energy storage technology, they'll just continue to improve and come down. I mean, just as some countries are hitting 50%+ of renewables, and the variability is becoming a significant challenge, we're also starting to see a lot of EVs entering the market. I've got a car charging in my garage right now that my electricity provider can start and stop charging based on electricity prices. I can easily delay charging for 2-3 days if need be. Seems to me that everything is coming together for a fully renewable solution. And this is probably what smaller island nations and such will want to standardize on anyway. It'll be the default for most areas. Not that I mind nuclear.. just not sure where it'll fit in in the future. Just used in some key industrial areas maybe?

giantg2 4y ago
"Or the cost of renewables + energy storage + smarter flexible loads will just become lower than nuclear all-in-all." May even in a generation or two. I doubt I'll see it in my lifetime though.
Gwypaas 4y ago
> Not that I mind nuclear.. just not sure where it'll fit in in the future. Just used in some key industrial areas maybe? Nuclear submarines, and that is about it.
- coryrc 4y ago
  Process heat for industrial use? Desalinization?
  - Gwypaas 4y ago
    Compared to heat pumps and renewables? I see it as very unlikely.
    - coryrc 4y ago
      Heat pumps aren't great above 80°C more-or-less.
      - Gwypaas 4y ago
        Just naïvely I would think that you used multi stage heat-pumps with different heat transfer fluids? Unless the process heat is thousands of degrees, but then we are already using inefficient methods like arc furnaces.
ianburrell 4y ago
The small modular reactors could be useful for isolated places where it is hard to run power cables and renewables are not feasible. Solar doesn't work close to the poles. Places that are now powered by importing diesel. Reactors might also work for ships. A super reliable small reactor that doesn't require much support personnel might be option for powering cargo ships.
Ekaros 4y ago
I wonder if population is ready for smarter flexible loads. At least if they start to actually affect them. Like grid telling your home to drop temperature or that hot water is not available at certain time. Or that AC is turned off, due to bad wind conditions...

by audunw 4y ago

giantg2 4y ago

"Or the cost of renewables + energy storage + smarter flexible loads will just become lower than nuclear all-in-all." May even in a generation or two. I doubt I'll see it in my lifetime though.

Gwypaas 4y ago

> Not that I mind nuclear.. just not sure where it'll fit in in the future. Just used in some key industrial areas maybe? Nuclear submarines, and that is about it.

coryrc 4y ago
Process heat for industrial use? Desalinization?
- Gwypaas 4y ago
  Compared to heat pumps and renewables? I see it as very unlikely.
  - coryrc 4y ago
    Heat pumps aren't great above 80°C more-or-less.
    - Gwypaas 4y ago
      Just naïvely I would think that you used multi stage heat-pumps with different heat transfer fluids? Unless the process heat is thousands of degrees, but then we are already using inefficient methods like arc furnaces.

ianburrell 4y ago

The small modular reactors could be useful for isolated places where it is hard to run power cables and renewables are not feasible. Solar doesn't work close to the poles. Places that are now powered by importing diesel. Reactors might also work for ships. A super reliable small reactor that doesn't require much support personnel might be option for powering cargo ships.

Ekaros 4y ago

I wonder if population is ready for smarter flexible loads. At least if they start to actually affect them. Like grid telling your home to drop temperature or that hot water is not available at certain time. Or that AC is turned off, due to bad wind conditions...