Denmark is reconsidering its 40-year ban on nuclear power in a major policy shift for the renewables-heavy country.

The Danish government will analyse the potential benefits of a new generation of nuclear power technologies after banning traditional nuclear reactors in 1985, its energy minister said.

The Scandinavian country is one of Europe’s most renewables-rich energy markets and home to Ørsted, the world’s biggest offshore wind company. More than 80% of its electricity is generated from renewables, including wind, biofuels and solar, according to the International Energy Agency.

  • Jramskov@feddit.dk
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    2 days ago

    I’m not against nuclear power, but I don’t see it becoming a thing in Denmark. It is simply too expensive compared to solar and wind.

    • troed@fedia.io
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      2 days ago

      The only reason your electrical grid works is because you use Norway and Sweden for balancing. As we also deploy more renewables, there won’t be enough balancing power unless more is built.

      Can be hydro, nuclear, huge batteries etc. And at least Sweden is capped out on hydro.

      • Jramskov@feddit.dk
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        19 hours ago

        The only reason? I’d like to see proof of that. We have quite a few power plants around the country. However, you right that it is a great advantage we work together with our neighbours.

        I think various kinds of batteries will become a huge deal in the coming years.

        • Wahots@pawb.social
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          2 days ago

          Nuclear helps when you have a very bad drought and very little wind for a long time. Bad doldrums, or perhaps big fires changing wind patterns during a hot summer. Certain parts of the world may need to rethink certain forms of power generation as the climate begins to change at an accelerated pace. Our reservoirs and dams in western Canada and the western US are already below historic averages, and we’ve used hydro for decades and decades.

          Nuclear is a very consistent, base load source. Expensive, but very reliable, and most importantly, cleaner and safer than coal or methane (“natural gas”) generators in the event you need to meet extraordinary demand all of a sudden.

          • ikt@aussie.zone
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            2 days ago

            Our reservoirs and dams in western Canada and the western US are already below historic averages, and we’ve used hydro for decades and decades

            It’s funny you mention that because this just came up today:

            Tasmania’s hydro power hits record lows as trading strategy shifts from baseload to firming

            https://reneweconomy.com.au/tasmanias-hydro-power-hits-record-lows-as-trading-strategy-shifts-from-baseload-to-firming/

            The question is if nuclear power ends up being a non-used source of energy unless in extreme situations like

            very bad drought and very little wind for a long time

            then is it an appropriate solution? If it’s only for a short time then it sounds like gas would be better

            • Wahots@pawb.social
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              2 days ago

              Yeah, weather is shifting a lot. Methane is really bad to build as any leaks (and they do leak) release gas that accelerates climate change way faster than carbon. Nuclear is a reliable source for a long time. I suspect that many of the world’s hydro dams will become less useful as things deteriorate. Perhaps some can be replaced by geothermal, or solar/wind/battery, but for places that are in geographically disadvantaged locations, nuclear is a great option.

    • Ledericas@lemm.ee
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      2 days ago

      billions to build said reactors, and then years of regulatory approval plus all the maintenance comes with it, and the safety of the area around said nuclear reactors. if they had it from the start, then it might be different.

        • mosiacmango@lemm.ee
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          2 days ago

          There is only one active thorium reactor in the world, and its 2MW test plant in China, out in the Gobi desert. They just managed to refuel it for the first time, which is a great milestone, but in no way, shape or form are thorium reactors a viable power source anywhere else on earth, much less “so portable they fit in a 40ft shipping container.”

    • Hannes@feddit.org
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      2 days ago

      Also just look how hard it is to find spots for renewables

      Surely there will be no NIMBYs preventing atomic power plants and storage spaces for the used material from being built…

      • Jramskov@feddit.dk
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        18 hours ago

        No one wants anything like that near where they live. Though personally, I have nothing against wind turbines as long as they are placed far enough away to not disturb you. Like I really don’t see the problem with wind turbines 10-20km from the coast which some people think completely ruins the view.

        As for nuclear power plant in Denmark. One reason I don’t see it happening anytime soon is exactly due NIMBY. We have yet to figure out what to do with the small amount of leftovers from the Risø reactor.

        • prole@lemmy.blahaj.zone
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          13 hours ago

          Like I really don’t see the problem with wind turbines 10-20km from the coast which some people think completely ruins the view.

          These people are so fucking annoying… If anything they look cool as shit

        • Trihilis@ani.social
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          16 hours ago

          Yeah lol… who the hell wants a nuclear power plant near their house?

          Is it that hard to understand that people don’t want shit like nuclear power plants, coal plants, methane plants and garbage disposals being newly built near their home?

          I live in one of the most crowded countries on earth and even here we have plenty of space where a powerplant wouldn’t be anywhere near a suburb. Or at least in a place where there is already a similar power plant/industry.

          Obviously it’s a different situation if you build houses near a power plant that has been there for years.

      • remon@ani.social
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        2 days ago

        Yeah, it’s so hard to find space … so let’s not go with the most space efficent method!

      • ouch@lemmy.world
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        2 days ago

        Please don’t post the same comment multiple times in different parts of the thread.