Report backs "clean" nuclear power as alternate energies are unproven, unviable
By Linton Levy
The Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering, which represents more than 700 experts, has issued a report calling for nuclear power as the best weapon to fight climate change. The study finds that nuclear power is the only reliable, proven source of electricity with a minimal carbon footprint. The Academy feels that 15% of the country's electricity will come from nuclear reactors by 2050 and that the first plant could swing into action just 10 years after approval is given.
The Academy's conclusions, which looked at the best ways for Australia to generate electricity in a climate-friendly way, said a technological revolution was needed. A plant would produce between two and 10 cubic meters of waste a year, a small amount compared to some other technologies, the report said.
The problem with coal and gas-fired power is that it emits carbon pollution, which may cause climate change. However, renewable energy, often touted as the solution, is either not baseload power or not proven, according to the report's lead author John Burgess.
"We need power that runs for 24 hours a day, as opposed to just when the sun shines or the wind blows,'' Dr Burgess said. ''(Nuclear power) is an existing technology which is operating quite safely.''
Currently, there are more than 440 nuclear power reactors in the world, in 31 nations. The report said Australia was well-placed for nuclear because of an abundance both of uranium reserves and remote sites for dumping waste. The report also said that Australia would likely have a "generation 3 plus'' style of nuclear reactor, which is safer and more fuel-efficient than current plants.