Nuclear option.

I’ve just been sent a document from a  reader of this blog. The document is worrying, in that it’s conclusions are that we need to build new nuclear plants. And quick if we’re not going to build more coal and gas powered generating plants. Here’s just a small segment of the article.

This is from the paragraph headed “Reducing emissions”.

It needs to be appreciated that the fossil fuel removed has to be replaced by electricity because this is what nuclear, wind, wave, solar deliver. On these figures, by 2027 we would need to build 140 + 288 = 428 TWh of new electricity output; by 2050, 428 + 653 = 1081TWh. These figures should be compared with the total UK electricity production in 2008 of around 360 TWhr.

The number of installations required to generate the electricity to replace fossil fuels (see Table 2) depend on their capacity and availability. A 1,600 MW Areva-type nuclear reactor working at 80% availability generates 11 TWh/y, so around 13 would need to be built to meet the 2020 target; an impossible task. A 3 MW wind turbine with 75m blades on an 80m mast onshore has achieved average availability of around 24%,while for offshore 30% future availability is claimed yielding 6.3 GWhy and 7.9 GWh/y respectively. To meet the 2020 target would require 20,000 and 16,000 turbines respectively; an equally impossible task over the next nine years (six to be built every day). The 2027 target is even further out of reach.

I think I can safely say. We’re screwed. I’m off to buy some more candles.

There’s a little bit more over at Bishop Hill

An interesting Hobby.

A Swedish man has been arrested after attempting to split atoms in his kitchen, claiming that he was only doing it as a “hobby”.

I must say that I’ve never thought of taking up a hobby like that. Mmmmm.

Handl, 31, said he had tried for months to set up a nuclear reactor at home and kept a blog about his experiments, describing how he created a small meltdown on his stove.

The best bit about the article is the comments that follow.

“If he sold his story to the tabloids, he could make a bomb.”

And

“I think my wife split some atoms in our kitchen this evening.
She called it 'dinner', but I have my doubts.   If I glow later on, Let me know.”

And

“Didn't he know that the easiest way to split atoms is to put them in a box marked "Fragile" and send it through the post?”

And

“Blue Peter has much to answer for “

Finally another man who won’t be getting any how’s your father any time soon.

“Judging from my wife's attempts at cooking and the frequent 'meltdowns' which occur in our kitchen,  I think she has proven beyond all doubt that 'cold fusion' DOES exist.”

Ireland is doomed

I think O’bama is going to go nuts and nuke the emerald isle if he’s subjected to this.

JEDWARD!

The public event is expected to attract around 20,000 people, with Jedward and Westlife set to perform for Mr Obama and his wife ahead of the president’s address.

Speaking to the BBC, the pop duo said: ‘We're very excited, it's an honour to perform for the most famous man in the world, after Simon Cowell that is.’

I agree with the twitter comments totally.

Twitter users have expressed their surprise at the decision to include Jedward in the musical line-up, with soulglider posting: ‘I fear for Obama, what will he make of #Jedward.’

Webstl added: ‘Dear TV, Please can we have a camera on Obama's bemused face during Jedward? Thanks.’

And charlisteele wrote: ‘Please don't show Obama Jedward. Please. Please. Please.’

Has the Republic sunk this low? It quite amazed me when these two twats were chosen to represent Ireland in the Eurovision song contest (not that I watched it).