West Burton to be site for Nuclear Fusion Reactor

[slim_boy_fat]

It's all flag-waving and diversionary tactics as no government plans this long-term with any degree of certainty that the next lot won't turn the whole thing on its head.

I can see the thread being shortly......

 

[daleyd]

Of course I am not. But barely worth a mention as we have so little left

Of course there is, it's still ~15% of our energy mix, day in day out - give or take. The reason you don't mention it is because it doesn't suit your argument.

 

[fizzy]

Of course there is, it's still ~15% of our energy mix, day in day out - give or take. The reason you don't mention it is because it doesn't suit your argument.

It does. Cost of nuclear hasn't risen due to gas prices either. But on a good day in Winter wind can supply as much as 40%. We should be sowing the benefits on windy days not paying through the nose.

 

[daleyd]

It does. Cost of nuclear hasn't risen due to gas prices either. But on a good day in Winter wind can supply as much as 40%. We should be sowing the benefits on windy days not paying through the nose.

No, it doesn't suit your argument that nuclear is good, wind is bad. That's why it wasn't mentioned, but as you say it's exactly the same for both.

 

[fizzy]

No, it doesn't suit your argument that nuclear is good, wind is bad. That's why it wasn't mentioned, but as you say it's exactly the same for both.

I didn't mention solar either but it is the same. Just wind is by far the biggest now.

 

[James1979]

It's all flag-waving and diversionary tactics as no government plans this long-term with any degree of certainty that the next lot won't turn the whole thing on its head.

that’s the problem. With most aspects of the whole thing.

Health, Energy, Roads, Whatever. They are only guaranteed to be in a job for 5 years (as a party) and after that hoped another 5 but it’s not a given. By the time they’ve undone what the previous lot did they only have a few years left to implement new ideas. Then there’s a new lot and round we go again.

I know this current bunch have been in for a while in one form or another but even so there’s been different directions and ideas within.

As much as I can see a lot of negativity with a dictatorship, at least they make a long term plan and
Stick to it

 

[Screwdriver]

Hello all,

as I understand West Burton is due to close next April, however it would make more sense. in the current situation of gas shortage, to keep it running, if it is still operationally viable, as is true of all coal staions scheduled to close soon.
It was a mistake to plan their closure leaving us with gas as the only source of reliable power that does all of the grid's load balancing. (It is not just back up as the media keep saying but the backbone of the grid)
While nuclear fusion being pioneered this way is good, why not choose a site that is already closed?, Trawsfynydd comes to mind, having worked there in the past, or Wylfa Head, both nuclear sites.
Our governments, of all colours have consistently failed to consider the essential matter of energy security highly enough, and their lack of foresight is showing itself now.

Alec

PS to those asking if wind isn't the cheapest source of electricity, no it isn't, when all costs are included, and it won't get any cheaper either. Apart from other points, consider that however much renewable generation capacity is grid connected you must also have an equivalent amount of reliable capacity available. i.e. double the assets. You could simply not have built the renewables in the first place and still have enough power.

Yeahbbut wait until "everyone" has to run around in electric powered vehicles. That will solve all our problems.

No! Wait...

 

[DennisCA]

Anyone see the documentary about Drax last night?
Makes my blood boil as I knew it would. Along with all this renewable subsidised stuff.

Moonraker was a documentary?

 

[DennisCA]

Reaction by unknown brit read elsewhere on the net to these news.

Space elevator to be constructed in milton keynes.

Totnes to begin building worlds first time machine.

 

[dobbslc]

Yeahbbut wait until "everyone" has to run around in electric powered vehicles. That will solve all our problems.

No! Wait...

Don't forget all the new build electric only heated houses...

 

[Pigeon_Droppings2]

wind, solar....isn't it all basically fusion energy

 

[500e]

One way to look at it @Pigeon_Droppings2

 

[daleyd]

wind, solar....isn't it all basically fusion energy

It’s not “real” fusion, because you get more energy out than you put in. The equivalent of fusion would be powering one wind turbine as a fan to blow another one next to it around (I actually think fusion is a great thing to be exploring but I seriously doubt it will ever be viable for commercial power generation, not that my opinion counts for anything!!)

 

[Screwdriver]

It’s not “real” fusion, because you get more energy out than you put in. The equivalent of fusion would be powering one wind turbine as a fan to blow another one next to it around (I actually think fusion is a great thing to be exploring but I seriously doubt it will ever be viable for commercial power generation, not that my opinion counts for anything!!)

No I believe he is suggesting that basically all of the wind energy is derived from solar radiation. Which of course apart from tidal forces, it is.

 

[daleyd]

No I believe he is suggesting that basically all of the wind energy is derived from solar radiation. Which of course apart from tidal forces, it is.

I know. It was a joke.