Recently wrote an article for my blog arguing that Australia MUST use nuclear in combination with solar and wind energy, if we are serious about a low emissions grid. Here are some key ideas from the post. https://bit.ly/aus-nuclear-needs

The context is climate change. Recent estimates from the UN suggest we are on track for a 3.2C global mean temperature increase by 2100 due to the carbon emissions we release into the atmosphere. The consequences include:
-extreme weather events (droughts, bushfires, heavy rain)

-rising sea levels
-destruction of habitats
-reduced agricultural output
This list goes on. Short answer - it will make earth much less liveable. So we have a problem to solve. Either reduce carbon emissions output, or capture carbon from the atmosphere.

Australia still produces 80% of our electricity from heavy carbon polluting energy sources such as coal or gas. 91% if we include the transport sector. Renewables are growing fast, with a 10% increase in the 17-18 year (latest data). Most growth is coming from solar and wind

Very encouraging, and projects such as the @SunCable1 proposed solar station are very positive. Unfortunately due to the variability of supply and difficulty/cost of storage a 100% solar and wind grid is not stable, becomes expensive and quite frankly is not viable right now.

Solar and wind always need a 'backup' energy source. Generally this is gas - still a heavy carbon polluter. I suggest we use nuclear energy as this 'backup'. Consider Germany. Their grid is 50% renewable - but still generating 5-10x as many emissions as France at twice the price

Nuclear has consistently shown to be a clean, inexpensive and reliable energy source. Modern cost methods use a calculation called LCOE which is heavily biased against nuclear, and makes it seem much more expensive than it is in reality.

Nuclear is as safe as wind and solar. Fear mongering following Chernobyl and Fukushima is not justified when the actual numbers are considered. Chernobyl happened due to inexperienced operators, and Australia is geologically stable so Fukushima type events are unlikely.

Waste storage is mildly difficult yes, but nuclear produces much less waste than coal or gas power and most concerns are due to irrational fears. Remember, nuclear is not competing with renewables but rather they are complimentary and it replaces coal and gas.

Bottom line, nuclear can provide a stable, low carbon emissions and inexpensive source of electricity to compliment renewable technology rollouts. The narrative that these are in competition is hurting our fight to reduce emissions #energy #Australia #wind #solar #policy