What are the alternatives to nuclear power?
The socialist argument against nuclear power and for the global implementation of renewable energy technology infrastructure is absolutely clear. It is one of necessity. If governments around the world are serious about tackling climate change they must abandon fossil fuels as a long-term energy solution, but it has been conclusively demonstrated that nuclear power is definitely NOT the answer. It is not the answer for many reasons, not least the difficulties associated with the proper safe long-term storage of HLW but also the disastrous consequences of a major nuclear accident on the scale of Chernobyl or Fukushima. If the already devastating effects of climate change and the survival of the human race is to be taken seriously, then we MUST abandon the use of fossil fuels. We must invest heavily in present and emerging renewable energy technologies: present existing technologies that are tried and proven such as-
- Solar Power
- Wind Power
- Wave Power
- Tidal Power
- Geothermal Power
Solar Power
Solar power has been tried and tested. It is an energy source that is clean and abundant. There two types of solar power in use. Solar thermal power utilises the direct heat from the sun to heat water or other liquids. The direct heat from the sun is absorbed by a vast mirror array and these mirrors are uniformly focused on a centralised solar tower that houses a heat exchanger. The heat energy stored within the heat exchanger fluid is 1500 times the heat received by the mirrors. This heat is used to generate steam which drives the turbines which generate electricity. Photovoltaic or PV power is a source of energy that uses the high-speed photons from light energy to literally knock electrons out of their orbit and create a flow of electrons or an electrical current.(8)
Wind Power
A wind turbine converts wind energy into electricity using the aerodynamic force created by the turbine blades.This works similar to a wing on an aeroplane or the rotors on a helicopter. When airflow crosses the blade, there is a pressure drop. The difference in air pressure between the two sides of the blade gives both drag and lift. The force of the lift is greater than the drag and this forces the rotor to rotate. This rotor is connected to a generator. The rotation of the generator generates electricity.(9)
Wave Power
Wave power is produced by the vertical up and down motion of floating devices placed on the surface of the ocean. Wind produces waves, and then these waves produce energy. As thewaves travel across the ocean surface, advanced devices harness the natural motion of ocean currents and the flow of swells to generate electrical power. There are multiple types of wave power devices that are in use today. Devices such as Wave Profile Devices, Oscillating Water Columns, and Wave Capture Devices are all examples of viable wave energy sources.(10)
Tidal Power
Tidal stream generators are very similar to wind turbines except they are positioned below the water surface instead of above or on land. The turbine and generator convert the movement of water coming from change in tide, the kinetic energy, into electricity.(11)
Geothermal Power
Geothermal Power is a natural source of power found beneath the surface of the earth that has been around for millions of years. Underground, far beneath our feet, there are pools of water heated by magma (or molten rocks). These pools of water make up our geothermal reservoirs. Harnessing the power of the Earth’s temperatures to power, heat or cool our homes and businesses is the fundamentals of geothermal power.(12)
Conclusion.
There are several reasons why our rulers are drawn to nuclear power:1) there’s a lot of money in it for giant companies who have numerous well funded lobbyists; 2) just as capitalist governments instinctively look to capitalist solutions to the housing crisis so they always look to capitalist solutions to the environmental crisis- anything rather than break with the logic of capitalism;3) nuclear power is closely linked to nuclear weapons and the world’s most powerful ruling classes are committed to maintaining their nuclear arsenals.
But these are all excellent reasons why socialists and environmentalists should oppose nuclear weapons and support the safe renewable forms of energy outlined above.
