Real Alternative Energy Coming?
When I first read about Hyperion Power Generation’s plans to manufacture ~25 MWe, turn-key nuclear power plants I was skeptical, to say the least. Still am, truthfully. Now the Guardian says that Hyperion has several confirmed orders for the device. Could this be a real Middle East Oil Killer?
The Guardian:
The first confirmed order came from TES, a Czech infrastructure company specialising in water plants and power plants. ‘They ordered six units and optioned a further 12. We are very sure of their capability to purchase,’ said Deal. The first one, he said, would be installed in Romania. ‘We now have a six-year waiting list. We are in talks with developers in the Cayman Islands, Panama and the Bahamas.’
One immediately notices that no major industrialized nations are among those on Hyperion’s list of prospects. One obvious reason for the omission are the regulatory hurdles in place in the U.S. and elsewhere. Nuclear power is regarded with suspicion and worse in the States, making the U.S. one of the last places where what seems to amount to a prototype device could be deployed.
Still, I wonder. The need and the technology are both to the point that such a device could become an acceptable risk/reward tradeoff for countries tired of literally being held over a barrel by the thuggish OPEC cartel and the passive-aggressive Russians.
In a former life I knew a nuclear engineer who’d worked for years in a U.S. power plant. His estimation of his plant’s safety plan could not possibly been higher. Pride goeth before the fall, it’s been written. Still, those in a position to know believe nuclear power is safe and clean. I’m inclined to trust their judgment.
Hopefully I’ll be able to catch up with my former acquaintance and get his take on Hyperion’s offering. Any scientists in the audience with thoughts to share in the interim?
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I’m not sure about it being an oil killer. I can only speak about the U.S., but most U.S. electricity is coal-based. Very little petroleum is used in electricity generation, per the EIA.
Unless they’re going to start making nuclear-powered cars or something.
True about the U.S. and coal. But cheap electricity would make electric-powered cars more desirable and reduce demand for oil in proportion.