Electricity and Carbon Emissions
Anthropogenic Global Warming threatens our future existence, however many organizations do not accept the most rational technical solutions. This website gives evidence that it is impossible to completely replace fossil fuel generation with wind and solar power and that nuclear power is absolutely necessary.
The Case for Nuclear Power
To combat Anthropogenic Global Warming (AGW), emissions of Greenhouse-Gas (GHG) from human activities must be eliminated. The breakdown of GHC emissions is show in the figure below, taken from the book by the late David MacKay: Sustainable Energy - without the Hot Air.
Roughly 74% of GHC come from "Energy" in the form of carbon dioxide and it is this fraction which can be eliminated with greatly increased nuclear generation of electricity. Fossil fuels are the main source of carbon dioxide emissions and to obtain a "Carbon Neutral" environment all must be eliminated from electricity generation; heating; transport and industry. In the medium term, much decrease in emissions can come directly from increased total electricity generation using nuclear power, in the long term some processes will require that fossil fuels are replaced with hydrogen made indirectly from electrolysis using nuclear power.
Different types of electricity generation have varying intensities of CO2 emissions as indicated in the figure below. Nuclear power generation has 20 times lower emissions than generation by natural gas and 30 times lower than coal generation. Hydroelectric, Wind, Solar and Biomass generation also have low emissions. Wind and Solar generation are weather dependent and, alone, cannot give a dependable supply of electricity.
External links to videos and articles making the case for Nuclear Power
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Carbon Emissions
The intensity of carbon emissions in electricity generation depends on the mix of fuel types. Fossil fuel generation has the highest carbon emissions and hydroelectric and nuclear generation have the lowest. Renewable energy gives medium carbon emissions because weather fluctuations necessitate back-up with fossil fuel.
Details of Carbon Emissions in European Countries
Wind Intermittency
Wind power production is extremely variable due to weather fluctuations. To satisfy consumer demand during low wind periods, fossil fuel generation must be increased. Further, because weather patterns are large scale in Europe the wind variations are often similar in in close-by countries.
Details at: Wind Intermittency Problem
Balancing Consumer Demand
Denmark has 50% of renewable energy in the local generation mix. In order to meet consumer demand for electricity in the periods with low wind, back-up is provided with fossil fuel generation and imports.
Details at: Denmark as example of large wind capacity
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