Nuclear Power in the UK

GRALISTAIR · 16 Jan 2020

Jozhua said:
Many have come to the conclusion that nuclear is the very least the lesser of two evils, and if we want to have a chance of solving climate change, we have to take some difficult to swallow pills, one of which is that nuclear power may be our only reasonable source of clean energy.

I came to that conclusion a long time ago (as did the French). Solar and wind just do not have the power density.

RailUK Forums

HSTEd · 16 Jan 2020

trebor79 said:
Wouldn't it be simpler and cheaper to just build another fleet of an existing design? Like bills 4 or 5 more Sizewell B's?
Obviously update certain aspects of the design for modern standards where necessary. But that must surely be cheaper and less risky than building something totally new?

The regulator would never approve Sizewell B, and the modifications required would end up making it quite similar to the existing designs.

Sizewell B also has a hell of a lot more steel and concrete in it than the more modern designs.

JamesT · 16 Jan 2020

trebor79 said:
Wouldn't it be simpler and cheaper to just build another fleet of an existing design? Like bills 4 or 5 more Sizewell B's?
Obviously update certain aspects of the design for modern standards where necessary. But that must surely be cheaper and less risky than building something totally new?

The ‘new’ designs we’re currently building are usually considered to be Gen III or III+, these are evolved versions of Gen II designs like the PWR in Sizewell B. The most direct descendant is the AP1000 which was suggested for a site near Sellafield. Unfortunately Westinghouse’s financial problems have rather scuppered that.
Given how much resistance there is to nuclear on perceived safety and most of the improvements between the generations has been on safety, I can’t see going backwards to a previous design is going to fly.

Bevan Price · 17 Jan 2020

Puppetfinger said:
Whilst I must admit to having limited knowledge, is greater research into Nuclear fusion the way forward, given this produces next to no waste, and removes the weaponisation issue? Also the sheer amount of energy produced would simply solve the Worlds energy generating issues.

Commercial fusion is probably at least 50 years away - if it ever happens. (And has so been considered for at least the last 50 years.) It needs huge energy input to start the fusion process, and keeping it stable for long periods has yet to be achieved. And I don't think it will be entirely free from dangerous waste. Containment materials being bombarded by high energy particles for many years may become radioactive.

HSTEd · 17 Jan 2020

JamesT said:
The ‘new’ designs we’re currently building are usually considered to be Gen III or III+, these are evolved versions of Gen II designs like the PWR in Sizewell B. The most direct descendant is the AP1000 which was suggested for a site near Sellafield. Unfortunately Westinghouse’s financial problems have rather scuppered that.
Given how much resistance there is to nuclear on perceived safety and most of the improvements between the generations has been on safety, I can’t see going backwards to a previous design is going to fly.

Sizewell B is easily the safest Gen II PWR ever built however.
I would argue it is probably closer to Gen III than Gen II in safety terms.

Nuclear Power in the UK

GRALISTAIR

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HSTEd

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JamesT

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Bevan Price

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HSTEd

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