Nuclear power: Are we too anxious about the risks of radiation?

Re:Nuclear power: Are we too anxious about the risks of radi... by dv_dt on Sunday September 27, 2020 @06:14PM (#24610570)

Then why isn't the argument that Germany should build more solar and wind generation? Nuclear plants take decades from start to finish - if they even finish in the West. Vs months to a few years for many renewable projects.

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Re:Nuclear power: Are we too anxious about the risks of radi... by ClumsyPilot on Sunday September 27, 2020 @09:02PM (#24611755)

Becayse germany has been very rapidly ramping up wind and solar, and still they are struggling to replace the reactors. They have made no progress in decarbonising the grid because rhey've been replacing one zero-carbon source with another zero carbon source, instead of removing coal.

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Re:Nuclear power: Are we too anxious about the risks of radi... by read_if_gay_ on Sunday September 27, 2020 @06:17PM (#24610587)

Because the plants are finished and working. They just shut them down.

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Re:Nuclear power: Are we too anxious about the risks of radi... by dv_dt on Sunday September 27, 2020 @06:24PM (#24610652)

Nuclear plants have a lifetime of 30ish years. Many are getting shutdown now because the first wave of builds was around 30-50 years ago. The risks of continuing to operate older designs gets higher if they're refurbished.

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Re:Nuclear power: Are we too anxious about the risks of radi... by read_if_gay_ on Monday September 28, 2020 @04:53AM (#24614493)

Sure, but newer designs were shut down too. I used to live basically next to one. It was in construction for years, very close to completion when Fukushima happened. It was definitely not a rational reaction to cancel that thing.

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