Brian Ross wrote on Mar 14^th, 2024 at 9:44pm:


What part of operational 2025 didn't you understand?  And you still can't provide a source for reliable energy.

Don't you think 70 years after nuclear tests, we have that data? How long do you think? 1,000 years?

Perhaps most interestingly is the earliest deployment date - 2038. 

Then there is the costs being appreciably higher than for Photo-voltaic or Wind generation.

Explainer: What is a small modular nuclear reactor?

As our energy systems focus more on renewables, and coal and oil are phased out, there’s been increasing talk about nuclear power – specifically about “small modular reactors”.

So, what exactly is a small modular reactor? Cosmos explains.

What is a small modular reactor?

A small modular reactor, or SMR, is a nuclear reactor, generally with a capacity of 300 megawatts (MW) or less.

For comparison, the smallest conventional nuclear reactors at present are at least 400 MW, and most are over 1000 MW.

The “modular” part refers to the construction of the reactors: they’re designed to be made in factories, ready for transportation to their sites. Modules could also be added once the reactor is running, if more energy is needed.

At the moment, there are two SMRs in operation: one 70 MW “floating” reactor on a barge in northeastern Russia, and one 200 MW high temperature gas reactor in northeastern China.

While the two SMRs currently operating took about a decade to build, ANSTO estimates that SMRs could take 3-5 years to construct. SMRs in Canada and the US, both already nuclear nations, are expected to come online by 2028 and 2029 at the earliest. Australia could expect to take years longer to do things like get community support and build approval and environmental impact plans.

“The other problem the industry has had is that they keep coming up with new designs, rather than having a learning curve, which gradually improves the economics,” says Lowe.

“All of the three [conventional nuclear power stations] being built in Western Europe at the moment are all one-off, and they’re all years behind schedule, and billions over budget.”

But Irwin thinks that the skillset demanded by AUKUS could open up a new industry for Australia.

“We’ve got an opportunity to manufacture SMRs in Australia, for our region. We could supply ourselves, but also our position in this region would be very good for a manufacturing centre for SMRs.”

Lowe disagrees, saying that while nuclear might make sense for other countries, it’s not necessary in Australia.

“I’ve seen studies that show that almost everywhere, getting to 80% renewables is pretty straightforward. But the last 20% is difficult in countries that don’t have the sort of solar and wind resources we do, and have larger populations, so greater demand for energy,” says Lowe.

“There will be countries, I think, that have to consider nuclear, but we’re fortunately not in that position.”

As I expected you haven't read the full report.

Australia does not enrich it's own Uranium.

Photo-voltaics and wind effectively last forever, they just need replacing when they wear out

Brian Ross wrote on Mar 15^th, 2024 at 2:12pm:


And Australia has no ability?  

Brian Ross wrote on Mar 15^th, 2024 at 2:12pm:


They are all made using fossil fuels. And seeing as China will soon be the only one using fossil fuel, where will they come from? And the cost of replacing them many times? Will they need new footings, or will they be the same size? New footing means new cement. More cement means more CO2, and that is the postulated reasoning for renewables.

Siemens is having troubles and so are others.

Some short periods some 24,000 year periods.