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Japan's cabinet backtracks on plans to phase out nuclear power by 2040, deciding to take the...

  • Wednesday, September 19, 2012, 6:09 AM ET
    Japan's cabinet backtracks on plans to phase out nuclear power by 2040, deciding to take the proposals "into consideration" when deciding energy policy rather than giving them formal approval. The plans have met strong opposition from business, which fears increased electricity bills and an unstable electricity supply.
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This news story has 11 comments:

  •  
    Appears to be a over reaction to nuclear power. It is their best solution to energy. What other options do they have?
    19 Sep 2012, 07:22 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Germany chose a different route.

    But Germany makes what they install (wind/solar), so it makes a difference. And the Japanese have a lot of expertise/manufacturing in nuclear, so that makes a difference as well.
    19 Sep 2012, 11:51 AM Reply Like
  •  
    What happens to power when night comes and no wind blows? It is a cheap source but not reliable. It needs a supplement of the real reliable deal, like coal or nat gas. Also solar requires a lot of land and wind turbines kill migratory birds.
    30 Sep 2012, 08:28 AM Reply Like
  •  
    The fact is that wind and sun are intermittent. In order to secure, for argument's sake, 100% energy from intermittent renewables like wind and solar (don't forget hydro and geothermal are also renewable and more constant - i.e. suitable for baseload applications), we would require a rather different power grid.

    We are slowly moving in that direction but obviously such a large endeavor doesn't occur overnight.

    For example, we would need large storage capacity across the actual grid, not originating just from the production points, in order to smooth out peaks and valleys in demand.

    This would work like capacitors do in electronics for example. One example would be using the energy stored in EVs and battery hybrids that are grid connected via smart meters, or the installation and deployment of multiple large scale energy storage systems.

    So, the reality is that intermittent renewables could in theory power the entire grid properly designed, but not tomorrow, and certainly not today.
    30 Sep 2012, 09:19 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Nuclear power is the least of their problems. What's the latest death toll from the tsunami/reactor disaster? Tsunami 1243, reactor 0.

    The Japanese will have to figure out how to avoid their waters being contaminated by Chinese ships.
    19 Sep 2012, 07:45 AM Reply Like
  •  
    weren't there a couple of deaths (with reference to rescuers not wearing adequate protection).
    30 Sep 2012, 10:31 AM Reply Like
  •  
    A far more fun comparison is to examine the costs to decommission nuclear versus say any other power facility.
    30 Sep 2012, 11:45 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Uranium is a very good play from now on. Even if Japan winds down this industry there are plenty of other nations winding up including China and strangely enough Saudi Arabia.

    Stocks are now recovering. Just look at the lovely chart which is (UEC). If that isn't bullish I don't know what is!
    19 Sep 2012, 08:00 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Nothing strange in Saudi Arabia winding up nuclear energy. They know what peak oil is and are preparing. DNN reacted even stronger than UEC.
    19 Sep 2012, 10:12 AM Reply Like
  •  
    Of course they did!
    Reality eventually and inevitably rises in the shadows of politalk.
    Investors must focus on the cogs of the world not the squeaks of the machine.
    19 Sep 2012, 10:12 AM Reply Like
  •  
    As Energy prices rise along with DBA DBC support PMs in GLD SLV as the USD declines USO UNG increases
    We need a NATIONAL SMART GRID INFRASTRUCTURE to Secure National Security on Energy ERX ERY. Lower Energy prices will increase consumer spending, increase National Savings rate and CREATE JOBS
    We are 16 TRILLION in Debt and if they are going to expand the balance sheets with these historically low rates its No BRAINER
    Education has turned into Corporation putting our Children with 2 TRILLION in Debt
    Canada has been ranked with better Education and they are now wealthier than Americans per capita.
    As we carved out the Middle Class essential to every economy OUR GOVERNMENT IS KILLING AMERICA
    A National Smart Grid would Spark Innovation in Our Youth and OUR Children's Future
    Then there is FXI YINN YANG China who wants to replace the USD with the CYB Yuan as The World Reserve Currency
    Where will GLD and SLV be then?
    5 Oct 2012, 07:30 AM Reply Like
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