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A global power crisis creates strong tailwinds for nuclear
an increasing number of governments, experts, and captains of industry like Bill Gates and Elon Musk believe zero carbon-emitting nuclear – once maligned – will be crucial in efforts to decarbonise the world and avert the kind of energy crisis currently crippling the globe.
Because wind and solar resources aren’t constantly available and predictable, they’re referred to as ‘intermittent’ energy resources.
A ‘dispatchable’ power station – usually coal or nuclear — is one that can supply power on demand.
The global energy crisis, blamed by some on intermittent power generation, has brought these conversations around reliable, emissions free nuclear to the fore.
An increasing number of governments, experts, and captains of industry like Bill Gates and Elon Musk believe zero carbon-emitting nuclear – once maligned – will be crucial in efforts to decarbonise the world and avert the kind of energy crisis currently crippling the globe.
Because wind and solar resources aren’t constantly available and predictable, they’re referred to as ‘intermittent’ energy resources.
A ‘dispatchable’ power station – usually coal or nuclear — is one that can supply power on demand.
The global energy crisis, blamed by some on intermittent power generation, has brought these conversations around reliable, emissions free nuclear to the fore.
In July, the International Energy Agency warned that rising demand for electricity was overwhelming global efforts to boost intermittent renewables, like solar and wind.
China, for example, is in the grip of a severe power shortage. In Europe, COVID-19 recovery related energy spikes have prompted an astonishing 280% increase in wholesale gas prices.
The easy answer to addressing those shortages is likely to be carbon-based power, but that has emissions implications.
Is nuclear back in favour?
It seems that way.
Japan’s ruling Liberal Democratic Party is now in favour of restarting safe nuclear reactors and considering replacing ageing reactors to push ahead with the country’s 2050 carbon-neutral goal.
President Joe Biden’s administration has acknowledged that nuclear will play a role in the US efforts to cut down on carbon emissions. The US still has the world largest nuclear fleet, but it is aging.
In late September, Exelon Generation Co. reversed a decision to close its Illinois-based Byron and Dresden plants after the State passed an energy bill to support their continued operation.
The Byron reactors are now licensed to operate until 2044 and 2046, and the Dresden reactors until 2029 and 2031.
When #nuclear power plant owners announce they intend to #decommission a facility, they must send us a formal notification, and submit certain licensing requests that position the plant for permanent closure. But nothing is binding until the licensee certifies to us that all fuel has been removed from the #reactors. Until then, decommissioning notifications and licensing change requests can be withdrawn. That’s what recently happened with the Illinois-based Byron and Dresden
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