Australia's Nuclear Debate: A Bankrupt Idea?

Nuclear vs Renewable Energy in Australia: Addressing Your Concerns

In this video, we dive deep into the nuclear vs renewable energy debate in Australia, addressing key concerns raised by our viewers. We explore the economic feasibility, energy storage challenges, environmental impact, political hurdles, and international comparisons to provide a comprehensive overview of both energy sources.

Key Points Discussed:
Economic Feasibility: According to the latest GenCost report by CSIRO, renewables like solar and wind remain the lowest-cost options for new electricity generation. In contrast, nuclear power, especially large-scale nuclear projects, would require substantial initial investments and continuous building programs to become cost-effective (CSIRO).
Energy Storage and Reliability: While renewable energy sources face challenges with intermittency, the development of advanced energy storage solutions is crucial. Nuclear energy can provide a stable base load power, which complements renewables and reduces reliance on gas peaker plants (Eco-Business, Energy Magazine).
Environmental and Safety Considerations: Modern nuclear waste management practices involve advanced recycling and safe storage. Meanwhile, the recycling of solar panels and wind turbines is also advancing, addressing concerns about their end-of-life impact (Clean Energy Council).
Political and Regulatory Challenges: Developing nuclear power in Australia faces significant regulatory and political barriers. Even if these were lifted, nuclear projects would have long development timelines, potentially delaying emissions reduction targets (CSIRO).
International Comparisons: Countries with continuous nuclear building programs, like South Korea, achieve lower costs for nuclear projects. However, Australia's lack of a domestic nuclear industry makes direct comparisons challenging (CSIRO).
Public Opinion and Social Acceptance: Public opinion in Australia is divided on nuclear energy. Engaging with communities and stakeholders is crucial for any future energy policy to gain broad acceptance and support (Eco-Business).
References:
CSIRO GenCost Report 2023-24
Clean Energy Council Report
Eco-Business Article on Nuclear vs Renewables
Energy Magazine on Nuclear Costs

#NuclearEnergy #RenewableEnergy #AustraliaEnergy #CleanEnergy #EnergyDebate #Sustainability #ClimateChange #EnergyPolicy #GreenEnergy #SolarPower #WindPower #EnergyStorage

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[BrianHunt]

Projects spiral in Cost. But the "small " issue of Snowey 2 headlineslike "“Australia’s biggest engineering debacle:” Snowy 2.0 costs double again to reported $12bn" . Still nothing to guarantee Base Road Power availability. And it also has tpo come down to "How much value would you put on a pristine Forest mountain rainforest without the bulldozed destruck of access roads to Wind Turbines.. Another "afterthought" is that there is no requirement on the owners pf Wind Turbines or Solar factories to be cleaned up after a "maybe" 20 year life. Although one violent hail storm could reduce that to months or small No of years. The Water My city drinks depends on the quality of the water that seep down from the surface, Depending on that water does not contain Carcinogenics from decaying Solar panels or wind turbines. What a true catestropy it would be if we saw Wind turbines faIL, OR THE OWNERSHIP FAIL AND THEY WERE LEFT TO RUST AN DECAY ON THE GROUND OR INTO THE GROUD. What a strange double standard it is that the mines that provide raw materials for these renewables are contracted under strong conditions to rehabilitate their site. Why not companies who scar the forests & bushlands of the great dividing range? Its because all existing enviorivemental laws are being pushed aside in the face of the "Climate emergency. So what good does it really do if we save our mi9n ute Co2 output at the cost of the beauty and amenity of our enviorment, which the Greens in Government under their previous party leader chained thenselves to bulldozers in the 1970's to protect old growth forest. But now its Greens supporting the "Rip Rip woodchip" approach to many forests on the beautiful native forests of the mainland. Regardless of the use of the wood from the trees bulldozesd, the message is the same, they don't give a damn about the damage they are doing, or how it will be rehabilitated when the HEAVILY subsidized Wind urbine and Solar factories financially collapse if the public don't heavily buy in on the 86% renewables push. At the very least we need companies who take financial responsible for the destruction really are as locked in to rehabilitation as the miners. That is:
But with our Labor Government looking after it; I think it would be safe to assume that no rehabilitration contracts are in place. For no, in full steam ahead, as per the lyrics of John Williamson's song. Rip Rip Woodchip:
What am I gonna do?
What about the future?
Gotta draw the line without delay
Why shouldn't I get emotional?
The bush is sacred
Ancient life will fade away
Over the hill I go
Killing another mountain
Gotta fill the quota
Can't go slow
Huge machinery
Wiping out the scenery
One big swipe like a shearers blow
Rip rip wood chip
Turn it into paper
Throw it in the bin
No news today
Nightmare dreaming
Can't you hear the screaming
Chainsaw I saw more decay
Remember the axeman knew their timber
Cared about the way they brought it down
Crosscut black but tallowood and cedar
Build another bungalow pioneer town
I am the bush and I am koala
We as one go hand in hand
I am the bush like Banjo and Henry
Its in my blood gonna make a stand
Rip rip wood chip
Turn it into paper
Throw it in the bin
Don't understand
Nightmare dreaming
Can't you hear the screaming
Stirs my blood gonna make a stand

[jurrac]

theres a difference between radioactive waste and nuclear waste, radioactive waste is not really a concern its mostly hardware components and protective gear used in power plants that is not very radioactive and is already recycled effectively, nuclear waste which is spent nuclear fuel is the more difficult waste to manage that is the major concern but it can be recycled into new fuel and stored in geological deposites.

[peterjohn]

Unfortunately repeating the same thing does not win any want to continue. Shorter videos, references, framing positions creates interest. Unfortunately these videos do not create an interest. Try harder.

[evanpenny]

Couldn't watch all of this. A diatribe of green propaganda. Wildly inaccurate, and ignoring the downsides of the so called "alternatives".