Ted Ritzer’s Post

FOURNIER: British Columbia Desperately needs nuclear energy Here in my latest Western Standard article (https://lnkd.in/ghgHkXgp) I argue that there is no stronger case for nuclear energy in all of Canada than in British Columbia's nascent LNG sector. Left-of-Center British Columbian / Canadian voters are beginning to see the writing on the wall. 1. Liquifying natural gas is very energy intensive. 2. Hydroelectricity has a massive environmental footprint. 3. Nuclear power would expand the export capacity of a LNG facility by 10%, eliminate CO2 emissions associated with liquefaction, with a >100x smaller environmental footprint than hydroelectricity. However, British Columbian legislation protects the monopoly of its crown jewel corporation BC Hydro from competition by the Canadian nuclear sector. Meanwhile, BC Hydro's bill to British Columbians to get hydroelectricity to Kitimat's LNG sector is likely to exceed $20 billion for a mere 1,100 MWe of electricity. Making this scheme the most expensive power project in history. Will British Columbians demand legislative change? One can only hope. #britishcolumbia #hydroelectricity #nuclearenergy

EDF Energy has outlined plans to extend the lives of its operational nuclear power stations in the UK. The French state-owned firm said it would make a decision on whether to extend the lives of four UK plants by the end of the year. It is also looking at the possibility of running its Sizewell B plant for 20 years longer than scheduled. The plans are subject to approvals by safety watchdogs and would equal about £1.3bn in investment if approved. The firm revealed its investment plans for its UK nuclear fleet on Tuesday and said in a statement that it hopes to boost energy security and cut carbon emissions. In 2022, nuclear power provided 13.9% of total electricity supplied in the UK, although that figure has been in decline since the 1990s, according to official data. Like fossil fuels, nuclear fuels are non-renewable energy resources. But nuclear power stations do not produce greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide or methane during their operation, although the construction of new plants is costly and does generate a low level of emissions through the manufacturing of materials needed like steel. The UK government has said in the past that it wants nuclear power to provide up to 25% of the UK's electricity needs by 2050. Read more ➡️ https://buff.ly/48MfaQb The Scottish Chambers of Commerce Network is here to support your business - reach out to share your views, concerns and opportunities. #SCCnews #businesssupport #businessnetwork #businessvoice #businessleader Sign up for the Scottish Chambers of Commerce enewsletter at https://buff.ly/3CpsQnu

Every Australian deserves and should expect access to cheaper, cleaner and consistent electricity. Under Labor, power bills have increased by up to $1,000 for many Australians when they were promised a $275 cut. And Labor’s climate target of 43% emissions reduction by 2030 has become unachievable. The Coalition believes Australia must have a balanced energy mix to deliver cheaper, cleaner and consistent 24/7 electricity. Today, we are announcing that a future Federal Coalition Government will introduce zero-emissions nuclear energy in Australia as part of a balanced energy mix. And today, we announce seven locations, located at a power station that has closed or is scheduled to close, where we propose to build zero-emissions nuclear power plants: - Liddell Power Station, New South Wales - Mount Piper Power Station, New South Wales - Loy Yang Power Stations, Victoria - Tarong Power Station, Queensland - Callide Power Station, Queensland - Northern Power Station, South Australia (SMR only) - Muja Power Station, Western Australia (SMR only) Only these seven sites with coal fired power stations will be considered. A Community Partnership will be formed in each host community, consisting of experienced local representatives, as the focal point for community engagement and to play an important role in planning the future of the region. Our plan is bold, visionary and what Australians need to secure our energy and economic future. Read more here: https://lnkd.in/dA6eS5hD

At least the Australian public have a real choice at the next election. Labor, The Greens, the Teals etc are already howling down the Coalition's nuclear energy policy is "stupid", "dreaming" "irresponsible" etc. This leads one to question if the policy is so bad, the Albanese Government & The Greens should have nothing to fear come the next federal election. I think their howls of ridicule are hiding their instincts that the Coalition may just be onto something good. Let the people decide! #nuclearenergy #energypolicy #energysecurity Scott Yung Jordan Lane MP

With coal no longer in the mix and increasing reliance on renewables, the UK now faces an energy gap that can only be filled by a reliable, low-carbon source: nuclear power. Maintaining the momentum of the UK’s new nuclear programme is a crucial step for securing Britain’s energy future and driving economic prosperity across the country. https://lnkd.in/e5PNGvTD #nuclearenergy #renewableenergy

I’ve been reflecting on this attached article about delivery and building difficulties for UK nuclear power in the current public discussion on nuclear power in Australia. It underlines the importance of industry know-how and capability in the delivery of large energy projects. The article argues the UK has had a diminished capability, leading to cost and delay overruns in their nuclear program. I suspect for a country like Australia, which has no history of nuclear power generation, the delays and difficulties will be even starker. This is concerning as we need to maintain our momentum (and building our capability) towards net zero - in renewable energy, in solar, wind, storage and pumped hydro. (As well as working closely with communities more directly affected) We need to maintain a level of consensus on energy policy to ensure the investment and innovation continues in renewables and storage, that our energy-intensive industries can have a level of certainty in future plans, and that we work towards a better outcome (in a timely way) for our climate.

Ghana is moving forward with plans to build its first nuclear power plant, expected to be selected by December from contenders including EDF, NuScale Power, Regnum Technology Group, China National Nuclear Corporation, Korea Electric Power Corporation (KEPCO), Korea Hydro & Nuclear Power (KHNP) Corporation, and Rosatom. According to Robert Bright Mawuko Sogbadji, Ghana's Deputy Director for Power, the selection process involves evaluating financial models and technical details, with a decision by the Cabinet to approve one vendor or two nations. This initiative aims to address electricity supply gaps and foster industrialisation in the region. Ghana's nuclear power ambitions date back to the 1960s but were delayed due to political upheavals. With assistance from the International Atomic Energy Association since 2006, the country aims to enhance its energy sector resilience following past power crises. The new plant is anticipated to add 1,000 megawatts of power by 2034, enhancing energy exports and supporting industrial growth across West Africa through the West Africa Power Pool. #NuclearPower #EnergySector #Industrialisation #GhanaDevelopment #WestAfrica #PowerGeneration #EnergySecurity #InfrastructureDevelopment #GlobalEnergy https://zurl.co/7vAs

Yesterday, the UK became the first major economy to divest itself from coal. Having worked as an electrical engineer at a electric utility, I know how important base generation is. While solar and wind have zero emissions, they are intermittent, in other words, you do not get to determine when they generate electricity. Here in the Phoenix area, electricity is a necessity during the summer. We still need a lot of electricity even on cloudy summer days with no wind. Batteries are nowhere near the capacity or cost effectiveness to be used to cover that gap. It's time we invest in nuclear power again. It is a zero-emissions base load with a long history of safe operations. There are currently 94 nuclear reactors operating in the US, three of those in AZ. We need more nuclear power.

14 Oct 2024   Britain ‘critically vulnerable’ to energy crisis   Experts warn over gas dependency after blackout prevent system mobilised for first time in two years   Britain remains “critically vulnerable” to future energy crises, experts have warned.   The country’s high dependency on gas for heating and electricity generation has left us more exposed than other European countries to swings in market prices, according to a commission set up by Energy UK, Citizens Advice and the Confederation of British Industry.   Please continue reading here: https://lnkd.in/didE6ybM           23 Sep 2008   Nuclear power and coal crucial to UK, says Hutton   Britain needs to undergo a "renaissance in nuclear power", and coal will continue to be a "critically important fuel" for the country, the business secretary, John Hutton, said yesterday.   In a speech which drew immediate criticism from environmental groups, Hutton said that the two controversial sources of energy were crucial to ensure that Britain retained a secure energy supply.   The international battle for energy security poses a threat to Britain's competitiveness and its "sovereignty as a nation", he said.   "It means a renaissance in nuclear power. Low carbon, reliable, secure ... And because energy security is a first thought, not an afterthought, I will not turn my back on another critical source of energy security for the UK, coal."   Please continue reading here: https://lnkd.in/dxaS9Rdh

Why nuclear does not make sense in Australia.