tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17555522.post937970775613564734..comments2008-09-08T07:33:29.662-07:00bwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541279438184352860noreply@blogger.comBlogger5125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17555522.post-44556229857547488612008-09-08T04:45:00.000-07:002008-09-08T04:45:00.000-07:00There's quite a bit of variance in nuclear levelized cost estimates for the latest projects in the US. Most are in the 9-15 cents/kWh range. Learning curve analysis suggests 2020-2030 costs to be 8-30 cents in the US. <BR/><BR/>This increase in uncertainty is a real problem for investors, who want to know what they're up against. IMHO this is one of the key reasons why there's so little private investment in new nuclear projects.Cyril Rhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17667288494374310919noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17555522.post-44568218711746064792008-08-27T17:25:00.000-07:002008-08-27T17:25:00.000-07:00<A HREF="http://nextbigfuture.com/2008/08/westinghouse-ap1000-nuclear-power-plant.html" REL="nofollow">AP1000 module factories will be built in the USA as well</A><BR/><BR/>18+ module factories around the world planned. 4 more at least in Chinabwhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/07541279438184352860noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17555522.post-63704201101420162742008-08-27T14:03:00.000-07:002008-08-27T14:03:00.000-07:0010ksnooker asked: Why can't the U.S. build a production line for new nuclear reactors? <BR/><BR/>From what I understand, this was tried by Combustion-Engineering in the early seventies. It was a great idea, but suffered from bad timing. First, the Nuclear Industry went more or less belly up after Three Mile Island, and second, C-E was hit by crushing asbestos lawsuits. The company went more or less bankrupt, with other companies buying their assets.Noahhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/03773820635939343369noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17555522.post-29274166454129904352008-08-10T13:07:00.000-07:002008-08-10T13:07:00.000-07:00What I would like to know is why can't the U.S. build a production line for new nuclear reactors? Wouldn't this solve a whole lot of problems with delays? While at the same time reducing costs? Make the U.S. into France, which gets about 80% of their electricity from nuclear power.<BR/><BR/>An assembly line, as your article states is one of the best ways to get costs down. Wouldn't it also produce safer units, since it is far easier to maintain the quality of work on an assembly line than in the field where everything is more or less custom built -- By varying skill level teams I might add. Why not go safe and chaep, like China? Just do it ...<BR/><BR/>If we did this, we could then use the coal for coal to liquids manufacturing plants which would produce transport fuels.10ksnookerhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13432559078921206197noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-17555522.post-48083051201691532242008-08-05T22:33:00.000-07:002008-08-05T22:33:00.000-07:00The nuclear industry wants security from government-induced construction delays. Everyone wants to get off oil and stop burning coal. Solution?<BR/><BR/>The government pays the interest on construction loans until electricity starts flowing. From there it's a purely commercial enterprise.<BR/><BR/>It's a bit of a subsidy to the nuclear industry, for sure, but a good idea overall, I think. Unless we get some really good news from a Polywell or Blacklight Power type company, nuclear is the only long term solution. Subsidizing a quick and painless transition to sustainable energy is no bad thing in my book.Brockhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17698562397742719005noreply@blogger.com