The problem is that efficiency can never keep up with population growth. Only a small portion of the world population has a modern standard of living. Even if we decrease energy consumption by half (no easy task) then when that population living the modern lifestyle doubles you're right back where you started. Also realize that to roll out the new more energy efficient infrastructure you have to consume a considerable amount of energy to 1) produce it, 2) distribute it, and 3) promote adoption.
The alternative is to replace the energy generation method at the source, which is a far more easy endeavor.
As another reply to your comment explains well, the summary is just that: a summary. When I wrote it I didn't have the space to explain everything. Possibly "unattended" wasn't the best word, but I think it fits. A bridge operates unattended for years. (i.e. there isn't a "bridge operator" on site, making sure it doesn't malfunction.) Your car runs "unattended" in that you don't have a mechanic in the back seat at all times. Sure, there's maintenance involved in both cases, but it's not required for normal operation. Current nuclear power plants are massively complex beasts. What the LFTR can provide is nuclear power, but with far less mechanical complexity.
I wrote the summary to prevent the "summary doesn't tell me what the heck a molten salt reactor is!" complaint. What should I have written? "China starts a new nuclear reactor project, and it SUX!":P
And, yes, it is that simple. Do a bit of research.
Quite well. When the reactor shuts down the molten fluoride salts solidify, so there is no potential for leaks that would contaminate ground water. Also the reactor could be installed underground, with thick concrete walls. The portion of a LFTR that would contain the radioactive material would be small, highly reinforced, and self contained.
On the whole environmentalists are not anti technology, but there is a definite strain of anti nuclear bias. I'm about as left wing as they come, and when I talk nukes to my lefty friends there are almost universal blank/glassy stares back at me.
I don't disagree with you at all about resistance from the right. The main problem with nuclear is that it gets hit rom all sides.
A friend is in Russia at the moment. They just informed me that, on two major news networks, one is currently showing a dating show and another is showing a game show...
I just got a job at JCPenney, and their vacation policy is based off of the total number of years worked in your adult life, not the number of years worked with them. You can easily start with four weeks of vacation.
Yes, and that "banding together" will have just about as much effect as conservatives bleating against one world government has had. And it seems to serve about the same purpose.
Fascinating. My comment has been pingponged between between 1 and 5 and back to 1 in the last few minutes. I guess if it hits -1 Troll I'll know I got it right.:)
...don't seem to understand that the takedown of Wikileaks is a triumph of world government. It's literally the new world order responding to a threat and removing it. And they're cheering it on...
Slashdot Mirror
The problem is that efficiency can never keep up with population growth. Only a small portion of the world population has a modern standard of living. Even if we decrease energy consumption by half (no easy task) then when that population living the modern lifestyle doubles you're right back where you started. Also realize that to roll out the new more energy efficient infrastructure you have to consume a considerable amount of energy to 1) produce it, 2) distribute it, and 3) promote adoption.
The alternative is to replace the energy generation method at the source, which is a far more easy endeavor.
As another reply to your comment explains well, the summary is just that: a summary. When I wrote it I didn't have the space to explain everything. Possibly "unattended" wasn't the best word, but I think it fits. A bridge operates unattended for years. (i.e. there isn't a "bridge operator" on site, making sure it doesn't malfunction.) Your car runs "unattended" in that you don't have a mechanic in the back seat at all times. Sure, there's maintenance involved in both cases, but it's not required for normal operation. Current nuclear power plants are massively complex beasts. What the LFTR can provide is nuclear power, but with far less mechanical complexity.
I wrote the summary to prevent the "summary doesn't tell me what the heck a molten salt reactor is!" complaint. What should I have written? "China starts a new nuclear reactor project, and it SUX!" :P
And, yes, it is that simple. Do a bit of research.
http://energyfromthorium.com/
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHs2Ugxo7-8
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZR0UKxNPh8
http://www.youtube.com/results?search_query=google+thorium&aq=f
Quite well. When the reactor shuts down the molten fluoride salts solidify, so there is no potential for leaks that would contaminate ground water. Also the reactor could be installed underground, with thick concrete walls. The portion of a LFTR that would contain the radioactive material would be small, highly reinforced, and self contained.
Sodium != Fluorine
On the whole environmentalists are not anti technology, but there is a definite strain of anti nuclear bias. I'm about as left wing as they come, and when I talk nukes to my lefty friends there are almost universal blank/glassy stares back at me.
I don't disagree with you at all about resistance from the right. The main problem with nuclear is that it gets hit rom all sides.
Including the story submitter. :)
But, as the parent says, none of them have worked on a liquid fuel design, which has significant advantages.
Citation, please.
A friend is in Russia at the moment. They just informed me that, on two major news networks, one is currently showing a dating show and another is showing a game show...
It's also activist to selectively strike down (or fail to strike down) law based on political preference.
.complaining about activist judges in 3...2... ...no? Really?
Libruls.
I just got a job at JCPenney, and their vacation policy is based off of the total number of years worked in your adult life, not the number of years worked with them. You can easily start with four weeks of vacation.
Yes, and that "banding together" will have just about as much effect as conservatives bleating against one world government has had. And it seems to serve about the same purpose.
You think rationality of content correlates positively with rationality of moderation?
Hah! What smoke are you crackin'?
That the nations of the world are acting like states in a one world government.
Fascinating. My comment has been pingponged between between 1 and 5 and back to 1 in the last few minutes. I guess if it hits -1 Troll I'll know I got it right. :)
Realize that easy targets often expose unbalanced attackers.
Kind of like when the state governments in the U. S. happen to have similar interests in being able to communicate, right?
Which is why it kind of baffles me that he's taking refuge in Switzerland, of all places.
...don't seem to understand that the takedown of Wikileaks is a triumph of world government. It's literally the new world order responding to a threat and removing it. And they're cheering it on...
Placebo is the opiate of the weak minded skeptic.
The market is bad, yes, but paradoxically not bad for the already employed. I switched jobs in August.
Por que?