Washington State Intends To Be The Clean Energy State And Nuclear Is Key

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Gary Hilberg

President Continuum Energy

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Feb 5, 2020 3:17 pm GMT
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Maybe the start of a trend where "Clean Energy" expands beyond the "newer" renewables such as wind and solar to include large scale hydro-electric and nuclear power. This article highlights Washington State's existing nuclear and the potential for new nuclear facilities in a state funded study. There is no legislation to support this focus, but the article does articulate the expectation that electrification of transportation will add extensive demand and all clean energy sources will be needed.

Washington State Intends To Be The Clean Energy State And Nuclear Is Key

A new study of energy needs in the Pacific Northwest concluded that more diverse, low-carbon electricity sources are needed to maintain energy reliability and achieve a carbon-free system by 2045. And some of that has to be nuclear.

Source: www.forbes.com

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Matt Chester on Feb 5, 2020 5:41 pm GMT

Washington would indeed be an interesting test case, given all its reputation as a green state but multiple time failure to pass any sort of carbon pricing. Maybe Washingtonians are starting to see that nuclear can help out?

Manisha Rane-Fondacaro on Mar 31, 2020 2:04 pm GMT

Nuclear energy does not support clean energy ambitions, on the contrary nuclear energy, SMR and large scale is neither zero-emissions nor cheap. Most carbon footprint calculations ignore the GHG emissions and cost associated with nuclear waste disposal. Please check out my reply to another nuclear energy related post at the below link for details.

https://energycentral.com/c/ec/how-can-us-nuclear-industry-address-building-new-plants-time-and-within-budget

Besides, the former nuclear regulatory commissioner thinks nuclear energy ougth to be banned.

https://www.washingtonpost.com/outlook/i-oversaw-the-us-nuclear-power-industry-now-i-think-it-should-be-banned/2019/05/16

Matt Chester on Mar 31, 2020 4:11 pm GMT

Can you expand on the GHG emissions associated with nuclear waste? Is that just looking at the materials used and transport? Because if so then similar carbon footprints are necessary for all traditional carbon-neutral energy sources. The carbon intensity is typically just looking at the fuel (or lack thereof) that is burned, but it's certainly valid to say we should look at the energy source's entire lifecycle-- but it would then be important to do that for all generation and ensure we're comparing apples to apples.

Gary Hilberg on Mar 31, 2020 5:43 pm GMT

Ex-NRC commissioner thinks it should be banned and the ex-leader of Green Peace is a supporter. Many different opinions.

Not sure what path you are using for nuclear fuel disposal but now almost all waste is stored on-site in dry casks so the on-going carbon profile is very low due to the energy density. If you have specific data on why this footprint is higher, please share.

There are extensive LCA's on various technologies and most have nuclear energy having a lower life cycle carbon footprint that solar PV - just look at First Solar's annual sustainability report they show traditional solar, their thin film and other technologies including nuclear power.

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