Bill Gates-backed nuclear contender Terra Power aims to build dozens of UK reactors::A Bill Gates-backed clean energy player is hoping to build dozens of nuclear reactors in the UK and will compete with global rivals.

  • AggressivelyPassive@feddit.de
    link
    fedilink
    English
    arrow-up
    0
    ·
    1 year ago

    No matter how you think about nuclear power in general, it will not be of any substantial help against climate change.

    It’s expensive and takes forever to build. Even the optimistic projections of the vendors are well above what wind and solar deliver right now.

    Nuclear power is just a tech bro pipe dream. Nobody needs it. It’s just prestige.

    • TenderfootGungi@lemmy.world
      link
      fedilink
      English
      arrow-up
      0
      ·
      1 year ago

      The goal of several of these new companies is to build small modular plants that are cookie cutter instead of individual boutique designs. That should bring cost down substantially.

      • IchNichtenLichten@lemmy.world
        link
        fedilink
        English
        arrow-up
        0
        ·
        1 year ago

        It’s the opposite. Nuclear plants were built as large as possible because that was the only way that made any kind of financial sense. SMRs are a waste of money.

        • HobbitFoot @thelemmy.club
          link
          fedilink
          English
          arrow-up
          0
          ·
          1 year ago

          It might have been why in the past, but the issues right now with building new plants is getting a design through production that can survive the review process. Costs come down on the second plant because you have a design you can clone rather than developing it from scratch.

          There are already several uses by several countries in using miniature nuclear power plants. This is just an attempt to make it more available to everyone.

          • IchNichtenLichten@lemmy.world
            link
            fedilink
            English
            arrow-up
            0
            ·
            1 year ago

            Nuclear has never been competitive in terms of cost against the alternatives, first coal and gas, now renewables. In fact, nuclear is only getting more expensive. I really don’t understand why you want to pay more for power than is necessary. I don’t.