Energy security is vital. With oil prices shooting up the whole equation is dynamic, changing everyday. Let us consider the following:
1. Nuclear plants take over ten years to go critical. Though capital costs are very high, uranium is relatively cheap, but rising with increasing demand. PM Brown wants 1000 plants all over the world so uranium exporting countries will exploit the situation. Having paid through the nose we will be held to ransom. 2. The spent fuel is radio-active & a danger to environment for centuries. It has to be buried very deep & leak-proof. 3. We are tagged with BRIC countries. Brazil is energy independent. Russia is a power player. China gets all from everywhere. 4. Huge efforts are made in alternates & renewable energy. Wind, hydel,coal&solar efficiencies are making big strides. Though solar is still in infancy, Germany is already tasting success. Israel & US have joined the race now and soon solar will become a cheaper, cleaner choice. That will suit us fine as remote villages can become energy independent and even feed the excess into the grid. 5. Japan & Germany are going big on fuel-cell, hybrids, plug-ins etc. A break-through in doubling the fuel efficiency will solve the problem and going hydrogen will be an over-kill!
Oil at over 100 is factored in so break-throughs are as as sure as sun-shine. Let us not enshackle ourselves by a deal that is alcatraz, guantanamo combined that will enshackle even Houdini!
RE:Think nation!
by Prem Mohan on Jun 25, 2008 08:10 AM Permalink
Yes. You are right. We should be completely self-reliant in all matters and use only non-traditional sources of energy. Of course, the rest of the world may use nuclear power, but who cares?
