US regulators have issued a warning to a nuclear project critical to Donald Trump’s efforts to revive the industry, after a contractor fell into a reactor cavity and a bundle of fuel rods nearly tipped over during refueling.

  • erin@piefed.blahaj.zone
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    1 day ago

    Source on storage that has historically been horrible? Our storage facilities are pretty simple. Just a salt mine in the desert. My source on nuclear getting cheaper to build is that many, many companies are choosing to plan on-site nuclear plants rather than other options, and Eastern countries building it cheaper year over year. In the West, nuclear cost per kWH has dropped significantly over time, but construction costs have moderately increased (mostly due to mismanagement). I agree, nuclear isn’t super applicable outside of certain areas, but even in metropolitan areas that have good access to sun and wind, you still need extensive storage capacity for periods of less activity, which just doesn’t exist on the scales we need yet. It’s not a funding or adoption issue, we literally just haven’t figured out good solutions for efficient power storage on the necessary scales yet. We either need better battery tech or more efficient potential energy solutions. Artificial lakes are already present and usable, and can provide protected habitats and natural areas. Nuclear is a good option. There is a reason China and India are making such a transition, even when they’re aiming for full renewables. We need base load, for now, and nuclear is the best of bad options.