Awesome Nuclear Power - The Best For Economic Development?

[cronus]

Is it? What do you as the risk to benefit ratio?

[Alan B]

It isn't a 'green' energy source. It produces radioactive waste that cannot be 'safe' for maybe 100,000 years or more. The waste must be stored in secure locations guaranteed (?) to be free from geological disturbance for that period of time (or more). The security must also be maintained for that period of time with human intervention and monitoring - if we are still around...

That is until nuclear fusion come 'on stream' - if ever.

[Jason]

Well, I just searched for 5 seconds and couldn't find how much waste per unit of power nuclear power generation averages, but I have to wonder why we can't simply contract Space X, or whoever, to eject the shit from our planet.

[Rum]

Well, I just searched for 5 seconds and couldn't find how much waste per unit of power nuclear power generation averages, but I have to wonder why we can't simply contract Space X, or whoever, to eject the shit from our planet.

Because of one of those birds crashed it would splash radioactive waste all over the countryside I imagine.

I live in Cumbria, the 'remotest' area of England and thus we have a nuclear waste dump on our doorstep. It is nasty stuff as it is a reprocessing plant. Before I retired I represented out Education Department on the county emergency planning group. Amongst many scenarios we had to prepare contingency plans for was the possibility of a major accident at Sellafield (the site in question). Basically the county would have to be emptied and fast - as would surrounding ones, depending on wind direction etc. Those monthly meetings often used to leave me a tad unsettled!

It is just too dangerous and for too long. And just suppose a little anarchy broke out some time in the next hundred years....it doesn't take much imagination to ponder at the outcomes if the place wasn't surrounded by armed guards as it is now.

[Jason]

I think making a safe and secure system for ejecting nuclear waste into space is doable, but it may change the economics of nuclear power so much as to make it uneconomical.

How about we sink it into the Mariana Trench or a subduction zone or something?

[cronus]

Don't be shy Rum. Sellafield is the nuclear dump for the entire planet. It is the great red spot of planet Earth if it ever blows.

[Rum]

I'm not sure what 'shy' has to do with it, but it is true that Sellafield has some very toxic stuff - some of the worst anywhere. They shoved the plant in an area that used to have very high unemployment and it is one of the biggest employers in that neck of the woods so the locals never make a fuss.

When I first moved up here 12 years ago I visited the other area offices (my first job was area based in Carlisle 35 miles away). I was horrified picking up the local Whitehaven paper to see that they did a regular report on levels of radioactive isotopes in the sea around there and whether it was safe to eat the shellfish - and how much. Nobody seemed to bat an eyelid.

[JimC]

Deep underground disposal, in a geologically stable area, designed by competent engineers should do the job...

[pErvinalia]

I'm still trying to parse the OP..

[pErvinalia]

Well, I just searched for 5 seconds and couldn't find how much waste per unit of power nuclear power generation averages, but I have to wonder why we can't simply contract Space X, or whoever, to eject the shit from our planet.

Too risky if the rocket explodes on lift off. With a space elevator this would work, though.

[JimC]

I'm still trying to parse the OP..

Actually, it is surprisingly clear for a Crumple post...

In comparison, at least...

[pErvinalia]

Deep underground disposal, in a geologically stable area, designed by competent engineers should do the job...

Straya!

[pErvinalia]

I'm still trying to parse the OP..

Actually, it is surprisingly clear for a Crumple post...

In comparison, at least...

Ok, what does his second sentence mean?

[JimC]

I'm still trying to parse the OP..

Actually, it is surprisingly clear for a Crumple post...

In comparison, at least...

Ok, what does his second sentence mean?

I translated it to "What do you think is the risk to benefit ratio?" I am slowly but surely learning Crumplese...

[laklak]

Maybe he's asking a risk benefit ratio what it do.