Saturday February 03, 2007

World energy council highlights nuclear power in Europe

peakoil.com -> people.com.cn :

World Energy Council (WEC), the world's multi-energy organization, released a report highlighting the role of nuclear power development in Europe. The report points out there are solid economic reasons to support the development of nuclear power in Europe. "For existing plants the economics behind nuclear power look particularly attractive considering that planned lifetime extensions, capacity increases and license renewals can further reduce costs." What is more, nuclear power can offer environmental advantages. "If carbon dioxide emissions were ever penalized, nuclear would be a particularly competitive alternative," said the report.

As for waste management, which seems to cause most of the controversy, the report said, "The actual amount of spent nuclear fuel produced globally every year is approximately 12,000 tons. Therefore, compared to the 25 billion tons of greenhouse gas released annually from fossil fuels directly into the atmosphere, the amount of waste is relatively small. Were spent fuel to be reprocessed, the figure would be even lower."

Alessandro Clerici, chairman of the study, emphasized the importance of public support in launching a new generation of nuclear power plants. "Nuclear energy has long been viewed with unease and there is concern over safety, proliferation and waste. More accessible and accurate information is needed to ensure that consumers understand that nuclear power is one realistic option for electricity production in Europe today," he added.

(2007-02-03 15:56:46 SGT) [Energy] Permalink

Most popular blog postings on lowem.log :

1. Singapore SIBOR interest rates fall to 1.5%, lowest since Dec 2004
2. Singapore SIBOR rate falls to 1.31%, lowest since Nov 2004
3. Fuel prices seen stoking Malaysia inflation in 2008
4. Singapore SIBOR rate fell to 1.25% in Apr 2008, lowest since Aug 2004
5. Malaysia inflation rate jumps to 7.7% in Jun 2008, a 26-year record high
6. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid preliminary specifications released
7. 2009 Honda Global Small Hybrid details released : bigger than Jazz/Fit, smaller than Civic
8. Singapore : Inflation rate could push past 6% in Q1 2008

Featured articles on lowem.log :

1. ABC Guide to Beating Inflation in Singapore and Elsewhere
2. Singapore inflation rate hits new 26-year high of 7.5% in Apr 2008
3. Singapore : Bread price inflation continues
4. 2010 Honda Civic Hybrid preliminary specifications released
5. Peakoiler buys 2008 Honda Civic Hybrid FD3
6. How to insert currency exchange rates into Google Spreadsheets
7. Singapore SIBOR rate fell to 1.25% in Apr 2008, lowest since Aug 2004
8. Singapore : Inflation erodes away bank savings