Nuclear Power
What are the benefits of including nuclear power in the energy mix?
Unlike many renewable energy sources, nuclear power can be generated 24/7 and isn’t dependent on weather conditions, unlike wind and solar power.
Nuclear power operates at around 92% Capacity Utilisation rates, solar and wind are around 25-35%, Nuclear Energy provides stable base load power.
Nuclear Power:
- Provides a more reliable baseload source for meeting energy demands,
- Stations are long life assets – new-generation nuclear power stations are now certified for 80 years of operation,
- Provides concentrated energy density, using uranium means lower transport costs to market when compared to large cape size transport vessels used for coal and gas,
- Is a proven solution to reducing the carbon intensity of our electricity grid,
- Is a solution to the ever increasing energy demand of our modern day society that easily fits into the existing transmission grid i.e. lower cost of infrastructure when compared to new infrastructure upgrades required by renewables.
Other resources:
Australia has an opportunity to take advantage of growing international interest in nuclear energy and look to expand its already significant uranium sector through exploring the role for small modular reactors. The Minerals Council of Australia has released the report, ‘Small Modular Reactors in the Australian Context’ written by one of Australia’s leading nuclear experts, Dr Ben Heard.
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