2 ms·
I've done a bit of work recently for some small scale alternative energy projects. Various combinations of catalyzed electrolysis, wave energy, natural heat di
by te_platt 17y ago
I've done a bit of work recently for some small scale alternative energy projects. Various combinations of catalyzed electrolysis, wave energy, natural heat differential, and more. I've learned two main lessons:
1. The second law of thermodynamics is a beast.
2. Nuclear energy is amazingly clean, safe, and reliable compared to the alternatives and slightly more expensive than necessary because of political pressures.
- lutorm 17y agoMore expensive than necessary? It's my understanding that the nuclear industry has been the recipient of some massive subsidies, not the least of which is the liability cap for a major disaster after which the taxpayers will foot the bill. I'm not dogmatic either way about nuclear. Do I think it's better than burning coal? Yes. Do I think that we should focus resources on developing truly renewable energy sources? Yes. Nuclear energy is not so clean at the uranium mining sites, either.
- te_platt 17y agoYes, there have been subsidies but there are also huge costs associated with licensing and permitting (not to mention lawsuits of all sorts) to build a nuclear power plant. On the whole the costs are more than the subsidies. Uranium mining sites are not so clean compared to where I live but are clean compared to a coal mine. The real question is whether they are cleaner than the alternatives. My main point isn't that nuclear energy is perfect, just that it is an amazingly good choice to have.