jan 27_08---Atomic energy

We had a lively discussion about atomic energy last night!

Give the highlights a listen.

To use or not to use atomic energy was the question!

Here is an email from a listener.

Hi James,

A very, very interesting topic, I really wish I participated. I switched on the radio and heard the show right about the time when one of the listeners was talking about nuclear, saying that it was the only viable method of reducing CO2 emissions RIGHT NOW, and provide that 'baseline'. Thing is, it was only about a 5 minute journey and I missed the phone number and the SMS was down, so I thought I'd email even if a little late.

I refuse to believe that nuclear is the only viable option readily available to us today, for reducing CO2 emissions and providing that 'baseline' he was talking about. Nuclear is old-fashioned way of producing power, still requiring the need of a very inefficient centralised power facility, whereas decentralised generation should be what people should be thinking about now.

It is a known fact that most of the world's energy is consumed in buildings - in some cases up to 60% of a city's energy. This is a fact that was stated in the recent Future Energy Summit in Abu Dhabi. I believe that by building 'green', and using smart/intelligent grid technology we could EASILY cut down emissions by 60%. Energy efficiency can be a source of extra energy in itself. Now I'm not an expert in smart grids or green building, however I do know THEY should be the way forward and NOT nuclear. The technology is available, and in the long term MUCH MUCH cheaper. Imagine the cost of containing the nuclear waste for God knows how long - and it'll probably seep out. Also God forbid another Chernobyl happens, how much will that cost to clean up? We're talking about CO2 emissions today, why risk the possibility of another worldwide problem of another nature when we know and understand today the consequences?

I'd also like to take this opportunity to reach out to anyone out there who understands smart grid technology well to learn more about it from them - people who have actually worked or are currently working in that field. Would that be possible?


Ahmed