SMR's

As many of the dire predictions regarding climate change have failed to materialize it is time to take a closer look at renewable energy and at wind and solar in particular. First off wind and solar are intermittent since the sun doesn’t always shine and the wind doesn’t always blow which means a backup source of energy is needed. Some feel this can be batteries but current technology is inadequate. Second both wind and solar take up lots of space. A one-gigawatt solar field requires 4,500 acres, a one-gigawatt wind farm 8,000 acres and a one-gigawatt natural gas power plant about 8 acres. Third since the solar fields and wind farms are installed many miles from the use points, they require long cross-country transmission lines. Forth the mining, processing and disposal of the materials needed for wind and solar is detrimental to the environment and thus most of these materials currently come from China. Fifth, batteries cannot be used for airplanes, ocean liners, heavy construction and farm equipment and rail trains which means there will still be a need for the diesel and jet fuel. The only realistic solution to climate change is nuclear power. Small modular reactors (SMR’s) cam be produced on and assembly line and shipped to the use point on semis. This removes the need for long transmission line and they operate 24/7 and need no backup. Using the latest gas turbines both uranium pellets or thorium can produce both electricity and heat. The reactors can be used to produce hydrogen by electrolysis of water and diesel and jet fuel can be produced by using hydrogen and carbon dioxide taken from the atmosphere and returned to the atmosphere when burned for a carbon neutral cycle. Cars and small trucks can use hydrogen for fuel and the only biproduct is water. The reactors have walk away safety meaning no meltdowns and the government is fast tracking the approval process which was the main reason for high building cost.