The story of nuclear feeds on many myths. The propaganda slogan then prepares to send a memory in the various talk shows and newspapers, and must try to fix the mantra of nuclear power as a "necessary evil" to the general public, without giving figures and precise data.
In these days I'll try to deal one by one the main beliefs upon which the story of the nuclear level from the first deception, what the cost.
The vulgate People would argue that we pay too expensive and the nuclear energy is saved. Please note, no serious expert pro-nuclear uses the discourse of the economic benefit of nuclear power is so laughable as a reason. This is at most one argument from talkshow, by mid-ranking politician, a typical representative of the government is just the lowest level and the myth is more easily removable.
The whole nuclear cycle has direct and indirect costs are too high to be considered an efficient source of energy. The major cost is related to the design and construction of a station. To this then we must add the cost of disposing of nuclear waste and decommissioning. Not to mention the cost and safety, research and management problems that are always covered by the state, not directly measurable in the energy expenditure of the central nuclear energy, but which are still impact on the community.
There are numerous studies conducted after 2008 in Europe and the USA, on cost electricity from new power plants (1). comparing these studies, the average cost of electricity from new nuclear power plants amounted to 72.8 Euro / MWh , that of new gas-fired plants is 61 Euro / MWh (16% less) ; that of new coal plants is of 57.5 Euro / MWh (21% less).
According to the 2010 outlook of the U.S. Department of Energy, calculating the dismantling and disposal of waste, the cost of nuclear power at existing plants is equal to that of coal (0.07 € per kWh), but higher than fuel oil (0.05), gas (0, 04) and wind power (0.03).
We must first make a notation: International Studies cited indicate, on average, cost of electricity produced by new nuclear power plants, 20% higher than that estimated by the Italian government (60 Euro / MWh. Source: "New Italian nuclear program", MSE draft, June 2010, we say ... cheerfully reinterpret the data NEA)
second note, even more important. These studies estimate the cost of electricity from new nuclear power plants in countries where they already exist! The Italian nuclear, would the additional cost of restarting a chain now abandoned. We want then to consider the likely opposition from local? The duration of the authorization process and the cost of delay?
So we should import technology, suffer the costs of additional services, to reorganize the distribution on a grid to be restored on the basis of nuclear and anticipate being able to impose costs for the construction of the plant. How much this cost?
For a total of 10-15 thousand MW of installed capacity provided on the eight plants, it should build from scratch the entire supply chain: the estimate of investment to date is between 40 and 60 billion euro (not including waste disposal of course). The nuclear project would be a drain on our bills and a tombstone on research, technological development and the country's industrial .
Third notation: the first studies do not take into account any tension in the price of raw materials . In recent years, the price of uranium has increased six-fold , from $ 20 per pound in 2000 to $ 120 2007: an exponential growth even comparable to that of oil.
But if we take into account current levels of reserves and the availability of uranium mining "useful" (ie where it is possible to extract to less than 130 $ / kg), also considered a constant level of consumption (no new nuclear power plant operating), the uranium will last of between 46 years and a maximum of 78 years . You say you will not increase in price? Okay, but will last less than oil and coal.
Ultimately, considering:
- actual cost of construction plant
- Costs for facility security;
- disposal of nuclear waste;
- ongoing management of nuclear fuel
- The availability of manpower with the requisite skills;
- The management of the transport of nuclear fuel
- costs related to construction of infrastruttre necessary, even in countries with the necessary commission.
Sources:
Comparative study on the costs of nuclear (Report Ronchi, Journal Environment)
International Energy Outlook 2010, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)
Projected Costs of Generating Electricity 2010 , NEA Nuclear Energy Agency
(1) These studies carried out by the Office of the Budget of the U.S. Congress, the European Commission, the House of Lords, the U.S. Administration by DOE, EPRI, Palo Alto, from MIT and from Moody's .
