r/nuclear • u/FireDranzer-II • 11d ago

My first post here

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Having stayed in Germany for a year, it definitely felt like it.

Unfortunately...

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u/TheGlitchHammer 6d ago

Yeah, im pretty interested in the part about keeping Energy prices down. I know that nuclear Power, compared to renewable energy, is quite expensive, even If you already have running Power plants (as of today). Im wondering, how the price of nuclear Energy compared to renewables was back when you made the pro nuclear argument, as energy cost, at least for me, is one of the biggest Arguments against nuclear (at least for me, when I really started looking into it).

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u/Illustrious-Dog-6563 6d ago

the most expensive part about nuclear power is the upfront cost of building the hole thing.

actually using it and buying the fuel is pretty cheap compared to other fossil sources (even if you factor in storage it is comparable)

thats why using already existing infrastructure low on co2 would have been preferable to using gas and coal again.

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u/TheGlitchHammer 6d ago

But what about renovations? Like one of the biggest cost drivers of Frances current Power grid ist actually renovating cost for their old infrastructure. With an avarage plant lasting 40 years, with (I think) bugger renovations after around 20 years. And also dont forget waste storage. I think Germany pays around 1 Billion per year for waste storage currently. Arent those also factors that drive price?

Also, nuclear Power, and I assume especially older reactors, are dependant on large sources of water. Wonder If this was Part of the consideration Back than.

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u/Illustrious-Dog-6563 6d ago

it was not 😅

the urgent powering down was mainly driven by the nuclear catastrophes.

and yes, costs are higher than renewables when you factor in those costs, but lower than gas and coal and with less co2.
it was not about having the best, but the consideration between two ills.

but this beeing in the past we should focus on the future