tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26752655.post1527436391387964697..comments2008-07-17T02:01:46.429-05:00Kirk Sorensenhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05280642138738554202noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26752655.post-40472102739314079882008-07-17T02:01:00.000-05:002008-07-17T02:01:00.000-05:00Of course I don't believe solar can compete with nuclear for baseload, but it might replace a lot of natural gas peaking plants.Nathan2gohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027370395249364154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26752655.post-86123952812023052552008-07-17T01:59:00.000-05:002008-07-17T01:59:00.000-05:00Sure, these solar plants are a little expensive. But they are also part of the first GW - first movers like the next US nuclear plant. It's the tenth GW that matters. <BR/><BR/>As proof that the cost will come down, consider that Nevada Solar One plant is using the Solargenix truss design - which is made of aluminum. There's no way that aluminum is cheaper that steel in high volume. The reason to use it is to cut tooling cost, which is most important for small production runs. The claimed bennefit of reduced weight doesn't mean much given that wind-loading is the driving factor.Nathan2gohttp://www.blogger.com/profile/06027370395249364154noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26752655.post-19976618531590625802008-06-30T05:08:00.000-05:002008-06-30T05:08:00.000-05:00sam j - Sun is also finiteOndrej Chvalahttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02031684443136544972noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26752655.post-17626317098686572912008-06-27T05:13:00.000-05:002008-06-27T05:13:00.000-05:00sam j, why do you think that renewables are beyond criticism? Everyone knows what the criticisms of nuclear power are. I make attempts to bring out facts about the cost of electrical generation with solar and wind, and the potential limitations of such systems. People seem to think that I am trying to kill their holy cow.<BR/><BR/>The amount of mineable thorium and uranium in the curst of the earth is so large that it will outlast any human use no matter how much we use. It will still be available when we human beings are gone. The ore of the Lemhi Gap thorium find is so rich that it can basically be scooped up and shoveled into reactors. There is enough thorium is a few thousand acres at Lemhi Gap to run the American economy for hundreds of years. Your assumption that we will ever need renewables is mistaken.Charles Bartonhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/01125297013064527425noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-26752655.post-14234881742694452672008-06-27T02:09:00.000-05:002008-06-27T02:09:00.000-05:00Why denigrate renewables?<BR/>The fuel for nuclear power generation is FINITE. It is a stop gap measure at best. The mining enriching and utilisation of this fuel leave a toxic waste that needs to be stored and monitored for tens of thousands of years. Does it make sense to wait until all nonrenewables are exausted before we use renewable, waste free power sourcesSam Jhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03996605352445072579noreply@blogger.com