Coal fired power stations being used because of electricity shortages

I think it is more that we have had so many false dawns with fusion, that to build any hopes that this time they have done any more than take, at best, a small shuffle forward, is to be over optimistic. Perhaps from now on fusion will always be nineteen years in the future rather than twenty.

Yes I see.
I sometimes find it difficult to express myself or understand others posts!

I suppose it was really just a statement of fact. I just felt M0nica implied we had "been here before".

Well, when I used the term positive, I mean I'm more positive that this step is leading to a positive outcome.
What do you mean?
I just dont always express myself clearly.

I was simply stating that we are a bit closer to fusion this time.
I'm not exactly positive yet!

I'd like to err on the side of positivity too NotSpaghetti.
It is true that the difficulties seem insurmountable, but they keep on trying.
The rewards would be tremendous for the first one past the post.

I think it's a clear move forward this time M0nica. I've been waiting for this since the early 70s when I was first aware.
This time they have ignition which is new.

yes, I saw the nuclear fission news item. News like this on fusion comes out every year or two, but somehow then fizzle out.

I will continue to think that fusion is at least 20 years ahead, until they have a close to full size prototype up and running.

The one in Cumbria is for the steel works.

Yes, in Cumbria.
We import coal now anyway.

No, I'd missed it on the news, but I did see it on the IoP site. Thanks for posting that NotSpaghetti.

Regarding the OP - did anyone see on the news that they are proposing to open a new coal mine?

Well, I didnt but I expect some others on here did.

Thanks for the link NotSpaghetti

Did you see this in the news about a week ago?
www.google.com/amp/s/www.imperial.ac.uk/news/228373/major-nuclear-fusion-milestone-reached-ignition/amp/

Now, solar, there's an idea!! ☀

Enjoy the weather

Passing on the problem for future generations.

It was always thus though callistemon
Each generation has to change to meet it's current demands.

Pea soup fogs dont exist here anymore, a legacy from the industrial revolution.
As consequence ww1&2 a rebuilding of Europe was undertaken.
I dont see it as passing on a problem when today's experts are working hard on the subject.

Its a hot day, lets leave it for now.

Indeed, M0nica, no arguments from me.

We could give it a go though

Ah, nuclear fusion, the key to endless free eectricity with no after affects.

The trouble is that it is always at least 20 years in the future and has been the whole of my adult life and is likely to be for some time to come.

A lot less is produced now, as it's possible to extract more energy.

Smaller holes under the ocean then.

Oh, okey doke. No references then.

This is interesting; world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-wastes/radioactive-waste-management.aspx

Nuclear waste is neither particularly hazardous nor hard to manage relative to other toxic industrial waste.

in countries with nuclear power, radioactive waste comprises a very small proportion of total industrial hazardous waste generated.

I think they're being economic with the truth...but in the absence of any actual scientific papers telling me I'm wrong, and since half lives and the radiation characteristics of radioisotopes haven't actually changed in the last 40 years, since I first learnt why they are so unsustainably dangerous, (you canna change the laws of physics, remember?) I'll just stick with my point of view.

Nuclear fusion now, if we would only put some effort into that.

BTW I didn't say it would all be plain sailing.

Of course there will be some difficulties.

I understand the concern about waste.
A lot less is produced now, as it's possible to extract more energy.
This will be be improved as time rolls on.

But I dont want to sound as if I'm teaching grannies to suck eggs
I'm quite sure you're very knowledgeable on the subject.

Krispii we obviously live quite close. As i too live near Didcot Power Station and I am on the power station's Local Liaison Committtee.

Alegrias1

Nuclear waste? Any takers?

Yes.

Passing on the problems to future generations to deal with.

Of course you are, I wouldn't doubt it.
As such I'm sure you have access to the relevant information names and research.

I'd really like to see some references explaining why I don't have to worry about it, seriously Namsnanny

ps - I used to be an eminent scientist so I won't be bamboozled by science. Well, I like to think I was eminent