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Nuclear is even worse than that: The only nuclear plants in Europe that have been built in 10 years or less in recent times are Russian ones, the singular EPR t

Nuclear is even worse than that: The only nuclear plants in Europe that have been built in 10 years or less in recent times are Russian ones, the singular EPR took 18 years. It's not a timescale that is well suited for addressing the immediate climate catastrophe. (But we need to keep battling on the longer timescale as well of course, so nuclear is still good to build)

TheChaplain 3y ago
It is quite possible to build save nuclear plants in a short time. Swedish Barsebäck and Oskarshamn took 5 years each, finnish Olkiluoto 1 started already after 4 years. In the heavy bureaucratized Germany Unterweser took 6 years from first dig in the ground. All these are from the 1970's, and now roughly 50 years later, our evolved technology and knowledge of nuclear technology and safety, should make it even faster and safer. But funny enough it doesn't get faster. I have my suspicions why, but have not formulated my thoughts enough to blog about it.
- adrianN 3y ago
  A lot has to happen before you can break ground building a nuclear power plant. Pure construction time is not a good measure.
Geisterde 3y ago
Is there an answer for the short term? Last I checked, there are days where the sun doesnt shine and the wind doesnt blow; its going to take a long time to build enough batteries.
- theshrike79 3y ago
  With pure logic the short term solution is to build coal plants. They’re cheap, fast and easy to build. You can use coal as a stopgap while you ramp up nuclear and renewables. This is what China is doing for example
  - Geisterde 3y ago
    That would be the logical step yes, or never shutting down the nuclear in the first place.
  - fulafel 3y ago
    There is no "pure logic" in energy and climate policy, there's tradeoffs and value jugements. You can build coal or use fossil fuels like natural gas if you are willing to do climate harm, but it's obviously not the only solution.
- dzhiurgis 3y ago
  Thats why grid connections matter. When there isn’t sun and wind in germany there’s some sun in spain, some wind in denmark, some nukes in france, some hydro in norway and as last resort - some coal in poland. Also why smart appliances matter too - you wouldn’t even notice if your car charges 25% slower, house is 1 degree colder/warmer and shower is few minutes shorter…

TheChaplain 3y ago

It is quite possible to build save nuclear plants in a short time. Swedish Barsebäck and Oskarshamn took 5 years each, finnish Olkiluoto 1 started already after 4 years. In the heavy bureaucratized Germany Unterweser took 6 years from first dig in the ground. All these are from the 1970's, and now roughly 50 years later, our evolved technology and knowledge of nuclear technology and safety, should make it even faster and safer. But funny enough it doesn't get faster. I have my suspicions why, but have not formulated my thoughts enough to blog about it.

adrianN 3y ago
A lot has to happen before you can break ground building a nuclear power plant. Pure construction time is not a good measure.

Geisterde 3y ago

Is there an answer for the short term? Last I checked, there are days where the sun doesnt shine and the wind doesnt blow; its going to take a long time to build enough batteries.

theshrike79 3y ago
With pure logic the short term solution is to build coal plants. They’re cheap, fast and easy to build. You can use coal as a stopgap while you ramp up nuclear and renewables. This is what China is doing for example
- Geisterde 3y ago
  That would be the logical step yes, or never shutting down the nuclear in the first place.
- fulafel 3y ago
  There is no "pure logic" in energy and climate policy, there's tradeoffs and value jugements. You can build coal or use fossil fuels like natural gas if you are willing to do climate harm, but it's obviously not the only solution.
dzhiurgis 3y ago
Thats why grid connections matter. When there isn’t sun and wind in germany there’s some sun in spain, some wind in denmark, some nukes in france, some hydro in norway and as last resort - some coal in poland. Also why smart appliances matter too - you wouldn’t even notice if your car charges 25% slower, house is 1 degree colder/warmer and shower is few minutes shorter…