Germany shutting down half its 6 nuclear power plants

[Mik]

..and deciding to rely on Nordstream II for energy as renewables grow. Is this a great idea? To shut these facilities down and rely on Russian gas? Klaus?

https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/world/germany-shuts-down-half-of-its-6-remaining-nuclear-plants/ar-AASjcqm?ocid=msedgntp

[Klaus]

It's one of the stupidest ideas in a long list of quite stupid ideas of Merkel.

But it's also the will of the majority.

We'll deserve the consequences.

[Klaus]

I'm actually thinking about how to decouple me and my family from this madness.

One option might be a mini combined heat and power unit, powered by wood pellets. But that wouldn't be efficient in the summer. I guess if that is combined with photovoltaics and a large battery, we might get close to 100% independence. But to implement that solution would cost at least 50K€. Economically, it doesn't make sense.

[Horace]

I bet there is a strong correlation between those who make noises about trusting science, and those who are against nuclear power. Which, based on every bit of science, is a good option.

[Mik]

It seemed to me that to compare German nuclear facilities to Fukushima is stupid in and of itself. I don't think any of these plants in earthquake or tsunami prone areas.

[Klaus]

@mik said in Germany shutting down half its 6 nuclear power plants:

It seemed to me that to compare German nuclear facilities to Fukushima is stupid in and of itself. I don't think any of these plants in earthquake or tsunami prone areas.

I agree. It's completely irrational. But over here, everything that has the name "atom" in it is bad, axiomatically, and shall not even be discussed. No politician dares to even touch the topic.

[Renauda]

I think it is a stupid idea as well, not because of dependency on Russian natural gas, but rather because of relying on natural gas over nuclear to generate electricity. Nuclear is a far more efficient and ecologically responsible means than natural gas. Coupled with hydro, nuclear is the cleanest means of generating power.

How old are the six nuclear plants about to be closed? Just curious, as may be the rationale behind this dubious decision.

[Klaus]

@renauda said in Germany shutting down half its 6 nuclear power plants:

How old are the six nuclear plants about to be closed? Just curious, as may be the rationale behind this dubious decision.

No no, age has nothing to do with it. It's a purely ideological decision.

[Mik]

@renauda said in Germany shutting down half its 6 nuclear power plants:

I think it is a stupid idea as well, not because of dependency on Russian natural gas

I would agree with you on this were it not for Ukraine being such a potential flashpoint. It probably won't come to a shooting war, but the potential for spillover and miscalculation is high.

[Renauda]

@mik

Yes, I am aware of that. In fact, Russian gas delivery to the EU will be a primary target - possibly, the primary target- of Western sanctions against Russia should the Ukraine situation escalate into military action.

There are plenty of alternate sources for natural gas. US LNG comes immediately to mind. Between the US and Canada, North America produces a surplus of natural gas. Just here alone we have many of our gas wells shut in and offline until such time that it makes economic sense to bring them back into production. One of the biggest propaganda myths perpetrated by the G’ovt of Alberta is that we are a global oil producer. We are not we are a global natural gas producer. The multi national heavy oil and oilsands is produced on the backs of all the small natural gas producers operating here.

[Mik]

Thanks for that info. All we ever hear about is the oil sands.