"Generation IV nuclear power refers to a system of fuel fabrication plants and reprocessing facilities that together overcome some of the shortcomings of current nuclear power installations. To be classified as Generation IV, a system must meet, or at least have the ability to meet, the following criteria: (1) it is much more fuel-efficient than current plants; (2) it is designed in such a way that severe accidents are not possible, that is, plant failure or an external event (such as an earthquake) should not result in radioactive material release to the outside world; (4) the fuel cycle is designed in such a way that uranium and plutonium are never separated (“diverged”) but only present in a mix and with other elements. This makes it more difficult to create nuclear weapons."

https://www.polytechnique-insights.com/en/braincamps/energy/the-latest-technolog...

GenIV approved for use in USA, already under construction China.

It is all good to talk about Gen 4 reactors, the costs, and earth quakes.  But let us not forget my friends, there is no nuclear power industry here in Australia!   We dont have the talent even for first gen nuclear reactors.   We dont have the experience or expertise on producing, storing or disposing nuclear rods of that magnitude.   We also need to improve infrastructures in those rural communities to sustain a nuclear industry.  We have none of that.    We can't even build an extension of rail way to the Airport from Melbourne, or to Rowville!   

7 Sites for nuclear power plants .... its a pipe dream, just like Brisbane to Melbourne high speed railway.   At maximum, Dutton will commission a nuclear authority to look at the viability of each of these sites.   And that would be it for 4 years until the next election.

lee wrote on Sep 4^th, 2024 at 1:04pm:


Lucas Heights is a nuclear reactor, but not a power plant.   The actual reactor can generate electricity, however, the reactor is not built for that purpose.  It is used to make nuclear medicine. 

Nuclear power plants are end stage products.  Even though we have uranium in the ground.  Those uranium need to be processed and enriched into final products that had be used in the nuclear power plant.   We dont have this industry to support that.   

You can try to import skilled worker sure.  But try to import thousands of skilled workers in difference areas. of production chain at the same time, and to house and provide infrastructure to support them mostly in rural areas?  I am sorry, I just dont see this happening.   MAY be, MAY be, IF we have bipartisan support, with a real committed road map of say 40 to 50 years.  MAY Be... BIG MAY be.   

tickleandrose wrote on Sep 4^th, 2024 at 2:01pm:



"ANSTO is home to Australia's only nuclear reactor OPAL in Lucas Heights, Sydney. OPAL stands for "Open Pool Australian Lightwater (OPAL)" - OPAL is a state-of-the-art 20 megawatt multi-purpose reactor that uses low enriched uranium (LEU) fuel to achieve a range of nuclear medicine, research, scientific, industrial and production goals."

https://www.ansto.gov.au/education/nuclear-facts

Sure sounds like a power plant.

tickleandrose wrote on Sep 4^th, 2024 at 2:01pm:


"With Australia, the United Kingdom and the United States signing a historic deal on nuclear powered submarines, The Australian National University (ANU) stands ready to train the next generation of nuclear scientists and practitioners and fill the gap in our existing nuclear workforce.

For more than 70 years, ANU has trained the nation and the world's nuclear scientists and experts and is the only university in Australia providing comprehensive training in nuclear physics from the undergraduate to postdoctoral level."

https://science.anu.edu.au/news-events/news/anu-advance-australias-sovereign-nuc...

tickleandrose wrote on Sep 4^th, 2024 at 2:01pm:


Why would you need thousands?

tickleandrose wrote on Sep 4^th, 2024 at 2:01pm:


Well then I guess that's the end. You don't see therefore it is impossible.

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There is a reason that the area around Lucas Heights glows in the dark.

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