Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk has always been a determined supporter of nuclear energy. Musk has once again announced his perspective on Twitter recently, and believes that we should not shut down nuclear power plants unless they are susceptible to extreme natural disasters.
Musk had mentioned during the “B-Word” online meeting in July 2021 that nuclear energy is extremely safe, and that a construction of ultra-safe nuclear power plants is feasible. He also commented during September that it is not right to shut down nuclear power plants that can still operate safely.
Musk is very confident about the type of nuclear energy which uses common fission technology, instead of fusion technology.
Nuclear fission has been regarded as a base load power with low carbon emission and high power generation, yet it often results in catastrophic disasters during accidents. Thus, the anti-nuclear movement has been inseparable alongside the development of nuclear energy. Musk believes that nuclear power plants are exceedingly safe, and do not require nuclear fusion technology.
Musk also pointed out from a tweet days ago that nuclear power plants should not be shut down unless they are susceptible to extreme natural disasters.
What Musk is reiterating is that nuclear power plants that remain under safe operation should not be terminated. He used Germany as an example during September, and stated that the country has elevated the volume of coal-firing power generation in order to lower the ratio of nuclear energy, which increases the level of carbon dioxide emission, and exposes the public to air pollution.
The most recent nuclear disaster caused by natural disasters would be the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster on March 11th 2011. Existing nuclear power plants around the world are usually shut down due to the end of their service lives and expired licenses. For japan, the 311 disaster is regarded as the turning point for the nuclear industry, since the country had stipulated new nuclear safety standards afterwards. Occupying an essential position in the new energy plan, Japan aims to attain a share of 20% for its nuclear energy by 2030, which indicates the country’s persisting effort in the particular field. However, there are only 9 nuclear reactors that have been approved for operation, among which 5 of them are currently suspended due to legal issues, with merely 4 reactors that are currently operating. The nuclear power generation of Japan is now significantly lower compared to the level prior to the earthquake, which prompted the country to elevate the power generation volume from fossil fuels that is now 80%.
Nuclear technology has been marching towards a safer direction and targets since the development of nuclear technology. Many research teams have engaged accordingly in the next generation nuclear technology regardless of fusion or fission, however, these technologies have yet to be mass commercialized.
(Cover photo source: Flickr/Daniel Oberhaus CC BY 2.0)