Can Germany Really Turn Its Back on Nuclear?
Earlier this month, the German conservative government has announced a complete dismantling of nuclear power plants by 2022. Challenged the view of many experts, and brokers of energy in Germany and throughout Europe, the German government published a controversial report proposed a possible plan to close all nuclear reactors by 2017.
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The new draft report by an agency of the German Environment Ministry, the details of how Germany plans to reduce its dependence on nuclear energy, how it will do and most surprisingly suggests that it is possible to end years of nuclear energy fiver ahead of schedule in 2017.
Today there are seventeen operating nuclear power plants in Germany to create a total net capacity of 20.5 GW, representing 23% of the electricity in the country. The proposed strategy is to combine renewable energy sources including solar and wind, with the construction of new natural gas plants.
Although it is a fossil, natural gas is the most 'clean' of all, the network with flexibility to meet demand and help Germany meet its targets for reducing CO2. In total, Germany is planning to build 5 GW of new natural gas combined cycle power plants over the next six years.
In the long term, a strong dependence on natural gas for energy could have an impact on the German long-term targets for reducing CO2 emissions. But the problem could be easily solved if the gas-powered plants are equipped with carbon capture and storage of equipment not mentioned in the draft report.
A recent report published by legitimate IEA (International Energy Agency) 'Are we entering a golden age of gas?' If the global market for energy is increasing its reliance on natural gas - which is most likely due to the explosion of shale gas today - the temperature can rise by more than 3.5 º C lead to catastrophic consequences.
'On the road to 2 ° C, however, require a greater shift to a low carbon energy sources, improving energy efficiency and diffusion of new technologies, including capture and storage (CCS), which could reduce emissions gas installations, 'the IEA said.
If this ambitious project proposed by the German government is carrying out with success and has proven effective, will reduce the risks and dangers of nuclear energy in world energy production and substantial benefits are possible outweigh energy prices increases.
Countries such as Switzerland and Italy are rethinking their strategies with the Swiss nuclear power has already decided to end the nuclear energy and driving Italian public referendum on whether or not to build more nuclear plants. The two countries plan to rely on renewable energy as a source of energy production.
Meanwhile, here in the UK, the Energy Secretary, Chris Huhne said he saw no reason why the UK should not proceed with its current policy of nuclear energy.
Do you agree with the United Kingdom and Germany to abandon nuclear power altogether? Share your thoughts below.
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