Nerfherder
Honorary Master
Plenty of other options but none f them are as viable as Nuclear.
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S.A goes big on nuclear
- Thread starter carstensdj
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Arthur
Honorary Master
We gonna run aluminium smelters, mining and rejuvenated trains on wave power?
Skywalker42
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Probably not. Not on one of those "worms" which supllies 0.75 MW per unit.
In SA we currently consume about 34 000 MW ( 34 GW from about 13 coal fired stations. )
It is equavilant to about 45000 worms, which is a lot. But those wave worms do not need energy input, they get it for free from the movements of the ocean. I do not know what a "worm" costs but I really think this is a very neat idea.
Especially long term. Think about it. And watch some videos on you YT on how they work.
... and the winner is already well known. Well done to China Guangdong Nuclear Power Group. I am sure you bought out all the right officials.
The only upside is we really need this juice, so thank goodness they are doing, but I expect 35% to be corrupted away with the ANC in control of this.
The only upside is we really need this juice, so thank goodness they are doing, but I expect 35% to be corrupted away with the ANC in control of this.
Skywalker42
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I used to think like you. After Chernobyl and Fukushima I thought it is time to reconcider.
I also know that the after effect of the incident in Japan is being downplayed.
Try to be open minded..
If Koeberg were to be hit by an earthquake AND a tsunami that devastates the majority of the surrounding areas and kills 20 000 people - would people respond with "Nuclear is so dangerous! Kill all the nuclear reactors!" or "Jeez people, it was hit by an earthquake and a tsunami! Remember how it's been operating totally safely for the past X years?"
Especially when your nuclear power plant wasn't ever designed to withstand an earthquake and a tsunami. Nuclear is safe if it is properly done. It's even safer if you go PBMR over conventional heavy water.
Especially when your nuclear power plant wasn't ever designed to withstand an earthquake and a tsunami. Nuclear is safe if it is properly done. It's even safer if you go PBMR over conventional heavy water.
What i find stupid is that the developed countries used nuclear power to sustain their need for power for decades,aiding their economic growth, but now that they are developed and have the ability to try other means they frown upon the current developing countries that need that type of power output.
i agree that the anc is probably going to pocket a large sum, but nuclear power ftw!
Does anybody reckon whether we will get any problems about wanting to enrich our own uranium?its not like we want to attack the USA.or could there be problems because it looks like were siding with china?
i agree that the anc is probably going to pocket a large sum, but nuclear power ftw!
Does anybody reckon whether we will get any problems about wanting to enrich our own uranium?its not like we want to attack the USA.or could there be problems because it looks like were siding with china?
Guantanamo
Expert Member
This is not a good thing, but a brilliant thing. South Africa is about as geographically stable as a country can be. We have a large Uranium exporter right next door in Namibia and our own Uranium deposits. We are low on power and nuclear is about the most efficient method of producing power in the world right now. It only gives off steam and not sulphur dioxide like the coal plants do. The sulphur dioxide is a huge contributor to acid rain, soil erosion, respiratory problems and other issues plaguing Mpumalanga where the majority of our coal plants are. Building these plants will allow us to scale back on the use of those plants and even possibly allowing us to shut them down. It will create jobs and a cleaner atmosphere. It will also allow us to export a greater % of our coal production, leading to more income for SA. To put nuclear energy efficiency into perspective a golf ball sized piece of enriched uranium can provide as much power as 15 train loads of coal*.
*Figure probably not entirely accurate as it was something I read a long time ago while doing some research for a project.
*Figure probably not entirely accurate as it was something I read a long time ago while doing some research for a project.
Guantanamo
Expert Member
This is not a good thing, but a brilliant thing. South Africa is about as geographically stable as a country can be. We have a large Uranium exporter right next door in Namibia and our own Uranium deposits. We are low on power and nuclear is about the most efficient method of producing power in the world right now. It only gives off steam and not sulphur dioxide like the coal plants do. The sulphur dioxide is a huge contributor to acid rain, soil erosion, respiratory problems and other issues plaguing Mpumalanga where the majority of our coal plants are. Building these plants will allow us to scale back on the use of those plants and even possibly allowing us to shut them down. It will create jobs and a cleaner atmosphere. It will also allow us to export a greater % of our coal production, leading to more income for SA. To put nuclear energy efficiency into perspective a golf ball sized piece of enriched uranium can provide as much power as 15 train loads of coal*.
*Figure probably not entirely accurate as it was something I read a long time ago while doing some research for a project.
*Figure probably not entirely accurate as it was something I read a long time ago while doing some research for a project.
SA is the only country to have voluntarily dismantled its nuclear weapons program, and also does not start wars with other countries.
Due to this, nobody treats us with suspicion for wanting to enrich uranium.
Besides, with the ANC in charge any weapons program will likely be staffed with incompetent people, and they will hit Zim while trying to aim for USA
This.
SA is unlikely to experience earthquakes or a tsunami like Japan had to endure. The greatest disaster we have here is the ANC.
+1.
Only 39 nuclear workers die on the job annually, compared to 6400 coal workers.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_accident#Comparisons
Of course, as with anything, all figures are relative to specific scenarios and a specific area and time in which the study was conducted.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_accident#Comparisons
Of course, as with anything, all figures are relative to specific scenarios and a specific area and time in which the study was conducted.
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Vrotappel
Bulls fan
Just wish they can start building already. Locations of these plants will be one of the main factors going forward.
carstensdj
Expert Member
Anyone else hear the story about Eskom hesitating to release info on how much radiation Koeberg lets loose etc etc? DJ Fresh of 5fm was talking about it yesterday on my drive home from work...
Arthur
Honorary Master
I'd also be nervous releasing radiation info. The media and assorted greenie-fanatics get hysterical about radiation levels that are harmless. There are ordinary cities on earth where the natural background radiation is higher than 100m from the Fukushima meltdown. I can just imagine the panic headlines for every minor vent...
carstensdj
Expert Member
Mmmm, very good point!
From what i heard, it was an environmental group that was concerned about dumping that Koeberg does, AFAIK
Kloofvreter
Honorary Master
Oh no. More anti-nuclear fearmongering. Nuclear is the best way to generate electricity. What else would you prefer?