Facts:
The decision to phase out nuclear power and shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy was first taken by the center-left government of Gerhard Schroeder in 2002. His successor, Angela Merkel, reversed her decision to extend the lifetime of Germany’s nuclear plants in the wake of the 2011 Fukushima disaster in Japan and set 2022 as the final deadline for shutting them down.
The three reactors now being shuttered were first powered up in the mid-1980s. Together they provided electricity to millions of German households for almost four decades.
The three reactors now being shuttered were first powered up in the mid-1980s. Together they provided electricity to millions of German households for almost four decades.
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Big deal.
Facts: Those nuclear power plants were designed for a 40 year lifespan.
The coal (hard coal and lignite) fired power plants now being shuttered were first powered up before the 1980s. Together they provided electricity to many more German households than nuclear power for over four decades.
Except that their goal is net zero emissions. By switching off nuclear electricity generation the Germans are making their goal that much harder to achieve.
DB2
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The Germans never planed on nuclear for meeting their goal of net zero emissions. Germans hate nuclear power just like Japanese and Californians. Nuclear power is insignificant in Germany with only 3 nuclear power plants.
The survey result marks the first time since the Fukushima disaster in 2011 that an increasing role for nuclear energy has been favored. It comes amid surging power prices and warnings of electricity shortages in Tokyo.
Some 53% of people said nuclear reactors should restart if safety can be ensured, while 38% said they should remain shut, according to the poll conducted by the Nikkei.
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Germans hate nuclear power just like Japanese and Californians. -----------------------------
With regard to Japan, a recent opinion poll showed majority support for nuclear power.
Oddly, the Germans claim to hate Lignite and Coal as well as being addicted to Russian Nat Gas … but not enough apparently to shut them down and freeze to death in the dark while their economy tanks?
Anymouse
"Russia is blackmailing us," Commission president Ursula von der Leyen, a former German defence minister, told reporters. "Russia is using energy as a weapon and therefore, in any event, whether it's a partial major cut off of Russian gas or total cut off... Europe needs to be ready."
Oddly, the Germans claim to hate Lignite and Coal as well as being addicted to Russian Nat Gas … but not enough apparently to shut them down and freeze to death in the dark while their economy tanks?
Oddly, the Canadians claim to have lots of cheap, clean electricity, but instead of using electricity for heating homes and commercial spaces, they use fuel oil and natural gas. They are addicted to their own nat gas and fuel oil.
Japan is in a pickle like US, EU, China WRT meeting 2030 goals.
Only 10 nuclear reactors have been restarted under post-Fukushima safety rules, but Japan’s 2030 energy goals requires nearly all 33 of them to be back online eventually. A small group of politicians from both the ruling party and opposition are calling for this to happen faster, but the restarts face hurdles including getting local government approval and a formal safety nod from the national regulator.
Polen will deutsche Atomkraftwerke pachten
Poland wants to lease German nuclear power plants www.n-tv.de/politik/Polen-will-deutsche-Atomkraftwerke-pacht…
Despite the energy crisis caused by the Ukraine war, Germany wants to shut down its nuclear power plants. In the debate about a lifetime extension, Poland makes a provocative suggestion: “If the Germans don’t want to use their nuclear energy themselves, they should lease it out.”
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…
Despite the energy crisis caused by the Ukraine war, Germany wants to shut down its nuclear power plants. In the debate about a lifetime extension, Poland makes a provocative suggestion: “If the Germans don’t want to use their nuclear energy themselves, they should lease it out.”
DB2
Meanwhile Poland both imports and exports coal so the Germans could keep the lights on using Polish coal while getting clean nuclear power from Germany? }};-@
A match that can only be made in weird coalition politics?
Anymouse
Slightly OT … no shortage of uranium as Cameco seems to be on a roll. The just minutes ago reported a blow out quarter.
Cameco Announces Second Quarter Results, Continued Disciplined Execution of Strategy; Well-Positioned as Multi-Asset Nuclear Fuel Supplier Across the Fuel Cycle
Wed, July 27, 2022 at 7:25 AM
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"In the drive for a clean energy profile, policy makers and business leaders must recognize that there is a need to balance affordability and security. Too much focus on intermittent, weather dependent, renewable energy, has left some jurisdictions struggling with power shortages and spiking energy prices, or dependence on Russian energy supplies. The good news for us is that many are turning to nuclear – which provides safe, reliable, affordable, carbon-free baseload electricity while also offering energy security and independence.
