[glitchc]

Solar and wind will always suffer from a storage problem. The key to modern power is not potential but throughput and consistency. Modern infrastructure needs x Watts delivered 24/7, shifting to y Watts during on-peak hours and z Watts during off-peak hours.

Because of inconsistency, solar and wind will remain non-viable as a primary source of power.

[pfdietz]

Making solar and wind consistent with various kinds of storage is likely going to be more economical than producing said energy with nuclear power plants.

As for comparison to natural gas and such, CO2 taxes will be increased until those are phased out. Still economical? Taxes will be raised until they aren't. We have to leave most of the carbon in the ground.

[nightski]

Economical is one thing, but what about sustainability? Isn't nuclear more sustainable in that it produces less overall waste?

[pfdietz]

The waste produced by a renewable energy system will be small (and of the same kind) compared to the waste produced by industrial society as a whole. If the renewable energy system isn't sustainable because of waste, then neither will be that industrial society, even if it were nuclear powered.

To be fair, waste isn't really the issue with nuclear power either.

[77pt77]

> waste isn't really the issue with nuclear power either.

So what is?

Because you're working overtime here against it without giving any reasons whatsoever.

[pfdietz]

> So what is?

Cost. It's the reason few nuclear plants are being built. No other reason is needed.

[nightski]

I'm not buying that all the solar panels, batteries, and grid infrastructure will produce little waste. Do you have any references to studies this or are you just going by gut feeling?

[raxxorraxor]

Nuclear does create waste and that problem is not solved contrary to popular belief.

[thehappypm]

I disagree with this premise.

Wind and solar will provide cheap power at times, extremely cheap at times when the production outstrips demand. It’s a simple and easy business model to buy this cheap power and sell it back to the grid at times of high demand. Buy some batteries, then buy low and sell high electricity. Bam, grid evened out by the invisible hand.