Please explain your answer. Should Australia resort to solar, nuclear, wind, or stay on electrical power?

Question

oops i mean coal

Answer 1

they should do what ever they want to. it`s there Country

Answer 2

The World Nuclear Association website says that currently, Australia is one of only a few developed countries not using electricity generated from nuclear power.  A report released by the Prime Minster's expert taskforce considering nuclear power said nuclear power would be 20-50% more expensive than coal-fired power and (with renewables) it would only be competitive if "low to moderate" costs are imposed on carbon emissions.

The report, released in 2006, recommended the removal of restrictions on the export and enrichment of uranium. Australia has stringent rules on uranium export and mining due to concerns regarding the development of nuclear weapons and the disposal of nuclear waste.

Australia has the world's largest source of uranium but due to the restrictions it has only 3 uranium mines operational. If the restrictions on ore enrichment are lifted, another $1.4 billion could be added the uranium industry's revenues.

So, given all of that, Australia is well within their rights to explore using nuclear power as a tool in their arsensal to provide energy in the future, but solving one problem by creating another should be considered a stop gap solution, at best.

However, opposition remains. No locations for the reactors were mentioned in the report. And water is a prime necessity of nuclear reactors, and would restrict the placement of reactors.

I would prefer that the Office of the Renewable Energy Regulator work within the parameters of the Mandatory Renewable Energy Target program to increase the target goal from 20% to 30%.  This is achievable, and could make reliance on nuclear power unnecessary or minimal, and allow for exports of coal and natural gas.  

Producing cleaner technologies using coal would also be in Australia's best interests, given Australia's reserves.

So it's kind of a don't put all your eggs in one basket kind of thing.  Do the research. Diversify.  Australia is positioned to take a giant leap into the future, and the decisions make in the next decade or two will have vast implications for the energy future of this nation.

Answer 3

The bi-products of a nucleur rod can be deadly for FIFTY THOUSAND YEARS!

Also Kenzie, Nucleur power plants kill our environment also.

I bleieve Solar Power is the way to go but soon our world will run out of sources of energy

Answer 4

I think that Australia should resort to nuclear power.

Some people believe that nuclear power is dangerous because of the nuclear explosion at Chernobyl.

There was only an accident though because it's a third world country and the workers weren't being safe enough.

Now that we know better, and because Australia isnt a third world country, it should be completely safe.

Using coal and stuff right now is breaking down our ozone layer.

We need to convert soon.

I also believe that solar power is really good. As long as we get it improved and more advanced, it sould be a good replacement.

Answer 5

Well, we also have a large hydro-electric scheme.. you seem to have overlooked.

We have some wind farms too, although we could do with many more.

Solar is increasingly popular at a domestic level... for $30,000 you can power up your home when it is sunny and sell the excess you generate back to the grid so that you can draw on the grid when the sun isn't shining.

There is a wave action electricity generator being trialed in Wollongong... that relies on the tidal variation to turn a turbine and generate power...

And then there is coal.. we have an abundance of natural resources per capita and that industry can be technologically cleaner......

And then there is natural gas to gernerate electricity... its a finite resource but also in abundance...

Of course we have probably the biggest uranium resouces in teh whole world... so nuclear power is most likely in our immediate future. ....

I think we should continue the diversity of energy sources rather than reliance upon one because where one lacks, i.e. when the sun isnt shining.. the wind is blowing.... it just makes sense to diversify an manage resources.

Answer 6

A combination of renewable energy will be required for a sustainable future. No one technology has the ability to meet all energy requirements. An effective combination of many technologies will be required to meet future energy demands. Each technology has it’s advantages and limitations, but together, they can solve the world energy crisis.

Cleaner alternatives include

- Hydroelectricity

- Wave power

- Solar energy

- Wind power

- Biofuel

Other alternatives such as nuclear can be used as a transitional technology to help our society move away from fossil fuels and towards renewable energy. Clearly nuclear energy also has many concerns and is a limited resource, but technology can be used temporarily while we further develop more sustainable energy sources.

The key point is Australia needs the combined effort of individual support and government support and funding. A combination of renewable energy sources can easily meet societies energy requirements if we invest enough research, time and capital into it.

But most importantly, is the source of energy. If we invest in green research initiatives and prevent the production of dangerous pollutants, then rather than policing energy consumption, we can focus on more sustainable energy alternatives such as wind, hydro, solar, geothermal, etc.

No single method will be effective in controlling energy consumption. Rather, it will be a combination of policy changes and a societal & technological shift towards more sustainable alternatives. Australia and other countries need to impliment a combination of renewable energy plans.