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"I think nuclear fission combined with fossil fuels is probably enough to last until we develop fusion or hydrogen based power." Problem is there isn't enough
by mtts 17y ago
"I think nuclear fission combined with fossil fuels is probably enough to last until we develop fusion or hydrogen based power."
Problem is there isn't enough usable uranium on the planet to make increasing the number of active nuclear plants viable for more than a couple of decades.
That, and a lot of what there is, is in places that make Saudi Arabia seem enlightened (Niger).
"Anyway, the reason there's been no nuclear plants built without government action is because it's illegal to build a nuclear plant without government action"
I think you will find that in most parts of the world, building power plants in general, not just nuclear plants, is done by the government, not by the free market.
- tome 17y agoYes there is. There's plenty of uranium in seawater. See here: http://www.withouthotair.com http://www.withouthotair.com
- mtts 17y agoInteresting, didn't know that. However, from your link: "no-one has yet demonstrated uranium-extraction from seawater on an industrial scale."
- mnemonicsloth 17y agoI haven't read MacKay in some time, but I think he mentions other possible technologies. Breeder reactors are already in use for power generation and in the fuel cycle in France, and China and India are both working aggressively on Thorium reactors. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breeder_reactor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Breeder_reactor http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorium_fuel_cycle http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Thorium_fuel_cycle