I might be less cynical about nuclear power stations if someone could
a) explain how to dispose properly* of the highly radioactive rubbish they create both during operation and at the time of decommission
b) reassure me that the costs of doing so are paid for by whichever private company is operating the power station and is paid down during the lifetime of the power station to avoid them disappearing/going bust at some time in the future before they have to fulfil those obligations and we have to pay for it
c) demonstrate that nobody in government is benefitting financially either now or in the future (by suddenly becoming a director or paid advisor for such companies when they leave office) from this decision.
*no, chucking it down a mine or into the sea where it can eventually leech out of whatever concrete they encase it in is not 'properly'
A) If the majority are the Rolls Royce small reactors then the high level nuclear waste is actually quite small in quantity* which will help in finding safe storage. Old style Nuclear reactors will be a lot more relatively obviously.
Nuclear waste needs to be split as even Hospitals produce nuclear waste. I think you are referring to high level waste rather than low level waste.
It will need a brave political decision to build a storage facility in an area with the appropriate geological conditions rather than just fit it into an area that already has nuclear facilities/Storage facilities. Whilst logically West Cumbria would seem the place, the geology isn't suitable it appears and although they have been/are looking under the seabed off of West Cumbria I don't know if the geology is any different.
What would you suggest they do with the high level waste if not store it in a purpose built facility?
I don't know if this will help you:
Real-life views of those decommissioning the UK’s earliest nuclear sites safely, securely and cost-effectively in a way that protects people and the environment.
nda.blog.gov.uk
Going off the links provides more detail such as looking at the Inventory website itself. Specifically on disposal/storage of waste:
Radioactive waste management involves a series of stages, including planning and preparation, treatment, packaging, storage and disposal. Most…
ukinventory.nda.gov.uk
And renewable energy has waste/production problems with batteries/turbine blades and the mining methods of rare minerals. None of them are perfect.
B) The Rolls Royce Small Reactors should have considerable reduced costs of decommissioning. I'd hope that the modern larger reactors will have decommissioning planning built in unlike the old reactors we originally built in this country. You'd hope the costs are built into the price paid when it is generating electricity so the company pays it but as it is this Govt negotiating currently who knows!
C) Again this Govt, who knows!
I think nuclear has to be part of the mix to provide certainty in supply as energy storage is nowhere near up to the task yet and as demonstrated recently, renewable supply is up and down in terms of generation. I'd prefer more of the Roll Royce small reactors around the country nearer the point of usage. But would settle for constellations of them on existing sites as a back up such as Sellafield etc.
*This comes from somebody in the industry.
