Operational problems of nuclear power

Nuclear power must run around the clock with a constant output capacity, which is called “baseload”. This is a key problem with nuclear. First, a permanent power generation mode –̶ independent from the actual need in the power grid – is needed to generate as much electricity as possible to make generation costs low. If the operational hours were reduced to half, the cost would double. So the “baseload” strategy is more an economic concept than a technical one.

Second, unlike modern gas turbines, which can react within seconds to fluctuating demand in the electricity grid, nuclear power stations are unable to react to the demand curve, and demand must follow the operation mode of nuclear power plants. This leads to the inefficient use of electricity. In almost all countries with a winter heating demand, a large share of nuclear in their power mix goes hand in hand with the expansion of highly inefficient electrical heating systems. For example, France, with about 80% nuclear in its power mix, had an overall power demand of 101GW on a cold day in February 2012, while Germany, which has 15 million more people than France, with 20% nuclear in its power mix had a demand of just over 50GW on the same cold day. (Bunesnetzagentur – German Grid Authority – 9 February 2012). Germany has far better insulated houses and a significantly lower share of electrical heating systems.

The inflexibility of nuclear reactors has a negative effect on renewables. For technical and safety reasons, nuclear plants cannot easily be turned down so wind operators are often told to shut off their generators to give priority to electricity from nuclear plants, an economic and ecological mistake. As a result, nuclear energy blocks the development of renewable energy technologies by commandeering space on the electricity grid and reducing income for wind operators. Renewable power plants can be built much more quickly than nuclear and are safe. In addition, renewables can replace several times more of the carbon that is leading to climate change for the same cost as nuclear and at a far faster pace. At present, only two reactors out of 54 reactors in Japan are online, and there have been no significant problems with the electricity supply. Japan has proven that it can survive without nuclear power.

Date: 2016-03-03; view: 690