3 ms·

The argument of the article (“<future tech thing> will never work because there currently aren’t any of them”) is so weak it makes me wonder if it’s some kind o

by jl6 1y ago

The argument of the article (“<future tech thing> will never work because there currently aren’t any of them”) is so weak it makes me wonder if it’s some kind of paid-for FUD campaign by whoever SMR tech’s rivals are. Presumably the oil industry, which sees nuclear taking away its energy-density USP.

seec 1y ago
Yes clearly an oil shill. Nowadays the lines are blurred because there are actually many oil companies that also "invest" in renewables, because they can make a decent amount of profit on that and it allows them to sell gas when the sun doesn't shine or wind doesn't blow. It's hilarious all the bullshit coming out, the only reason nuclear cost so much is because it has been regulated into oblivion. And the only reason renewables are cost competitive is because we use China as the source with all their subsidies and deregulation (never mind that we don't ask anywhere near the same uptime/constant source from those solutions).
- PaulHoule 1y ago
  … and don’t forget the high capital cost of the steam turbine. It is no accident we quit building nuclear plants based on steam turbines at the same time we quit building coal burning power plants based on steam turbines.
  - seec 1y ago
    Well sure but the capital costs is really an argument in its own. When you compete with a foreign industry that does not have the same rules for capital it's really hard to compare accurately. This is a big problem in general with neoliberal thinking, that capital in itself has value and should create a profit. If you consider that electricity should be a free market then it is a problem but the reality is that it isn't really a commodity that you can transport around freely. It needs to be generated locally and at the correct time to be useful, otherwise it's just wasted. And this is the basis of the problem and why we fall in the capital argument. Electricity shouldn't be a free market and largely can't (which is exactly why problems are appearing all other the place in EU). If you consider that it is actually a necessity, just like water and sanitation, then the capital argument doesn't even apply.

by jl6 1y ago

seec 1y ago

Yes clearly an oil shill. Nowadays the lines are blurred because there are actually many oil companies that also "invest" in renewables, because they can make a decent amount of profit on that and it allows them to sell gas when the sun doesn't shine or wind doesn't blow. It's hilarious all the bullshit coming out, the only reason nuclear cost so much is because it has been regulated into oblivion. And the only reason renewables are cost competitive is because we use China as the source with all their subsidies and deregulation (never mind that we don't ask anywhere near the same uptime/constant source from those solutions).

PaulHoule 1y ago
… and don’t forget the high capital cost of the steam turbine. It is no accident we quit building nuclear plants based on steam turbines at the same time we quit building coal burning power plants based on steam turbines.
- seec 1y ago
  Well sure but the capital costs is really an argument in its own. When you compete with a foreign industry that does not have the same rules for capital it's really hard to compare accurately. This is a big problem in general with neoliberal thinking, that capital in itself has value and should create a profit. If you consider that electricity should be a free market then it is a problem but the reality is that it isn't really a commodity that you can transport around freely. It needs to be generated locally and at the correct time to be useful, otherwise it's just wasted. And this is the basis of the problem and why we fall in the capital argument. Electricity shouldn't be a free market and largely can't (which is exactly why problems are appearing all other the place in EU). If you consider that it is actually a necessity, just like water and sanitation, then the capital argument doesn't even apply.