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The United States is a nation whose electric power generation system and grid is becoming increasing inadequate, even as the nation grapples with another energy problem — the $4 per gallon gasoline era.
Moreover, an economic slowdown and a relatively mild summer have to-date reduced the typical electric load electric power generation plants would face, but that respite will end when the U.S. economy starts to expand at a healthy rate again. And when it does, electric power demand will increase.
What’s one model the United States could follow to generate more electricity while the same time reducing coal-based pollution and climate change? France.
That’s right: France. Nuclear power is experiencing a mild comeback in the United States, with 34 new reactor applications on file at the U.S.’s Nuclear Regulatory Bureau. In France, it never left. Further, had the United Says followed the French model, the U.S. would be vastly more energy self-sufficient this day.
France: liberty, fraternity, equality, fission
Nuclear power never went out of style in France, and for this reason France is decades ahead of the United Says — and much of the world, for that matter — regarding energy self-sufficiency, The New York Times reported. An amazing 77% of France’s electricity comes from its 58 nuclear power plants, and it is a net-exporter of electricity to Europe. The United Says has 104 nuclear power plants, which account for only 19.4% of its generated electricity, according to U.S. Department of Energy data, The Times reported.
France began an ambitious nuclear energy campaign for two reasons: 1. It has no oil. 2. It does not have abudant coal. End of discussion.
Concerned about nuclear waste? The United States has always cited nuclear waste processing as a barrier to nuclear power but France has had in place an active nuclear reprocessing program at COGEMA La Hague and Tricastin for decades.
And now, France’s new European Pressurized Reactor will replace natural gas-powered and coal-power electric plants. Each plant will save two billion meters of gas each year and eliminate millions of tons of CO2, The New York Times reported.
Are wind and solar power technologies being developed in France? Yes, they’re, as they’re in the United States, so states economist Peter Dawson, whose specializations include the economics of energy. Wind, solar, and other renewable energy forms are definitely part of the new era’s energy mix, and as soon as they can beat nuclear on cost per kilowatt hour, nuclear power will most likely be phased out, he said. “But that day is at least 10 years away, perhaps as long as 15-20 years away,” Dawson added.
In the meantime, the United Says will need to meet a sizable increase in electric power demand, “so more nuclear power has to be part of the equation,” Dawson said.
Energy Analysis: The French electric power model is compelling on climate change and energy independence grounds. The view from here’s that the U.S. must build as many nuclear power plants as possible to ensure an sufficient electric power supply well into the mid-21st century, at which time the transition to other, renewable technologies should be cost-effective and underway.
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