Nuclear Power is the Dr Jekyl and Mr. Hyde of energy creation. On the one hand, by definition, it is an energy resource that is infinitely renewable. On the other hand, the detritus of the fission process, the nuclear waste, the spent fuel, is, today, infinitely un-degradable from a practical viewpoint.
We can’t ignore nuclear power and relegate it to the dustbin of technology history because of Chernobyl and, more recently. Fukushima.
This Energy Form Has a Dual Nature
In both cases, the horrible aftermath was the result of man’s scientific arrogance and lack of respect for the dual nature of this monster. On the one hand it enables us to minimize the carbon footprint. On the other hand, it offers the prospect of replacing the carbon footprint with one that is infinitely worse in terms of effect.
So what is one to do? We have learned from Chernobyl and will learn a great deal from Fukushima. The cost of this education has come at a high price in terms of blood and ecological impact. What do we need to do:
Steps to Keep Nuclear Energy Renewable
1) Do not build a reactor in or near a fault line or exposed to tsunami level flooding. Just don’t do it!
2) Even If we do build in the vicinity of one of these vulnerable areas, you need to double encase the reactor and have redundant, portable, cooling facilities integrated and costed into the project design. For plants that are being built in areas exposed to category 5 and above hurricanes, the plant must be well above the worst case flood plain and capable of withstanding Cat 6 and above wind force.
3) Spent fuel rods cannot be stored in the active reactor premises and must be removed within 90 days of change-out. Provide severe government penalty’s on failing to meet these guidelines.
3) A major investment must be made in conquering the technology require to safely and effectively reprocess used fuel (rods.) Provide government incentives.
Frank Stadulis
The planets number one autoblogging samurai.