America needs 600 Thorium power plants

[DanOkeffie]

safe, clean, and easy! time to build new nuclear power plants! Comeon US government - get your head out of your ass

 

[TastySuckToy]

Solar power is bringing hundreds of gigawatts of capacity online every year, at vastly superior speed and at vastly cheaper prices. Nuclear cannot compete economically and cannot overcome its negative public image.

 

[icanhelp1]

Solar power is bringing hundreds of gigawatts of capacity online every year, at vastly superior speed and at vastly cheaper prices. Nuclear cannot compete economically and cannot overcome its negative public image.

I respectfully disagree.

 

[contrifan32]

Solar power is bringing hundreds of gigawatts of capacity online every year, at vastly superior speed and at vastly cheaper prices. Nuclear cannot compete economically and cannot overcome its negative public image.

Solar power... gigawatts? Really?

 

[BabyBoomer50s]

I spoke with an engineer with Amazon who is responsible for energy strategy to ensure data centers have sufficient power. He told me small nuclear generators are very much a part of the company’s plans. They are investing heavily.

 

[TastySuckToy]

I respectfully disagree.

Solar power... gigawatts? Really?

597 gigawatts installed last year. 380 gigawatts installed this half year so far, a 64% increase.

 

[icanhelp1]

597 gigawatts installed last year. 380 gigawatts installed this half year so far, a 64% increase.

64% of 3.9 % total output are not big numbers. IMHO

 

[TastySuckToy]

64% of 3.9 % total output are not big numbers. IMHO

Hundreds of gigawatts of power being brought online every year, with that number growing significantly every year, is nothing to sneeze at.

 

[icanhelp1]

Hundreds of gigawatts of power being brought online every year, with that number growing significantly every year, is nothing to sneeze at.

How much land area will be used for these solar farm? Nobody ever addresses the waste stream that these solar panels create. I know nuclear has it's own waste problems but I'm a firm believer that nuclear waste will get a second life. I'm not eliminating solar but it's not reliable enough to be grid reliable or capable of replacing fossil fuels. In my opinion nuclear is the way forward. With AI on the horizon we'll need all sources of energy. Those compact modules are quite remarkable. IMHO

 

[TastySuckToy]

How much land area will be used for these solar farm?

The foot print of needed solar to meet all energy needs is incredibly small. And that's before taking into account solar can be integrated into existing infrastructure: roofs, roof shingles, siding, windows, parking lots, roads, photovoltaic paint, ocean plants, etc.

Nobody ever addresses the waste stream that these solar panels create.

Recycling and reuse programs are already in place, as well as non toxic and non rare materials solar technology developments.

I know nuclear has it's own waste problems but I'm a firm believer that nuclear waste will get a second life. I'm not eliminating solar but it's not reliable enough

Studies have shown that wind and solar could easily meet 90%-99% of all USA energy needs with smart grid implementations and management without energy storage, and that's even before considering energy storage developments like extremely cheap, easy to produce liquid metal battery technologies that will easily smooth out any intermittent issues. Never mind all the other countless technologies and projects being developed.

to be grid reliable or capable of replacing fossil fuels. In my opinion nuclear is the way forward. With AI on the horizon we'll need all sources of energy. Those compact modules are quite remarkable. IMHO

I think nuclear technology has its place and uses, I have no qualms with it. It simply cannot compete economically or speed wise with deployment of solar. Solar power is already the cheapest energy around, and its costs only keep dropping, because the fuel is effectively infinite and free.

 

[Saint_Ann]

Whatever it is, the left won't like it.

 

[TastySuckToy]

Whatever it is, the left won't like it.

I seem to recall them attacking and torching electric vehicles.

Clearly they hate non fossil fuel tech.

 

[Philthy_Phil]

Elon said give him 100sq miles and he could power America.

 

[TastySuckToy]

Elon said give him 100sq miles and he could power America.

Ten thousand square miles with current average solar technology efficiency and average US insolation figures, yes, that would produce about double the electricity needs of the United States.