First new U.S. nuclear reactor since 2016 is now in operation

Re:First new U.S. nuclear reactor since 2016 is now in opera... by Manuel_D on Wednesday December 27, 2023 @05:49PM (#38787824)

Present biomass energy doesn't have remotely close to scale required to decarbonize ocean transportation. I'm sure the "advanced" part of advanced biomass assumes some mega-algae or something else that is far more productive than existing biomass, but if that technology hasn't been developed yet then you might as well just say nuclear fusion is the solution.

Hydrogen is currently produced via steam reformation [1], which emits carbon dioxide. Electrolysis is less efficient and corrosion of electrodes inhibits scale.

Nuclear maritime propulsion is far more mature than any of the alternatives. Submarines and warships have been using it for over half a century. Could a technological breakthrough create a better alternative? Maybe, but we can't move ships with potential technologies until said technologies make the transition from "potential" to "real".

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Steam_reforming

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Re:First new U.S. nuclear reactor since 2016 is now in opera... by hef19898 on Wednesday December 27, 2023 @05:53PM (#38787865)

Then go and get funding for it! Because apparently you know better than anyone else who was involved in defining this strategy. And given many, to domain experts, just hairbrained ideas get, or used to get, VC funding, it should be easy, right? And a tremendous market, just imagine what a hyper-unicorn one can build by having the monopoly on power the cargo vessels of the future!

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Re:First new U.S. nuclear reactor since 2016 is now in opera... by Manuel_D on Wednesday December 27, 2023 @06:03PM (#38787953)

Venture capitalists expect most of their bets to fail. It's very possible that none of their synthetic fuel startups will succeed. It is not at all reasonable to assume that a technological breakthrough will transpire just because venture capitalists are funding it. Otherwise, we should just sit back and let nuclear fusion solve climate change. Surely you don't think you know better than the VCs funding fusion, right?

And for what it's worth, some shipbuilders are exploring nuclear cargo ships: https://www.reuters.com/sustainability/maritime-industry-exp...

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Re:First new U.S. nuclear reactor since 2016 is now in opera... by hef19898 on Wednesday December 27, 2023 @07:55PM (#38788736)

The important bit is about the timeline: At least ten yeara to proof of concept.

There is no industrial base dor this at the moment. And then there is the IRENA commission, tasked with developing a strategy to decarbonize shipping, and they went with green fuel instead of nuclear. And that commission included ship builders, operators and other domain experts.

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Re:First new U.S. nuclear reactor since 2016 is now in opera... by Manuel_D on Wednesday December 27, 2023 @08:57PM (#38789098)

The International Renewable Energy Agency's [1] job is to advocate for more widespread adoption of wind and solar. Nuclear power threatens that objective. This is about as naive as trusting fossil fuel companies' paid-for scientists on climate change.

1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Renewable_Energy...

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Re:First new U.S. nuclear reactor since 2016 is now in opera... by hef19898 on Wednesday December 27, 2023 @09:07PM (#38789168)

Than take it from those folks:

https://cms.globalmaritimeforum.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/...

-> page 9 refernces the hydrogen and amonium based fuels

That was developed in the frame of this:

https://unctad.org/news/transport-newsletter-article-no-108-...

The IRENA page provided said information in an easier to digest form so.

The only source talking about nuclear reactors for civilian shipping was that Reuters article. Personally, I'd take exhaustive reports and internationally accepted strategies above some statement made towards Reuters.

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