Electric cars

[ColinB]

I'm sure I read somewhere that we were considering building a number of small nuclear plants round the country. Could they be up and running by 2030.

That’ll be the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) concept being pushed by Rolls Royce:
https://www.rolls-royce.com/products-and-services/nuclear/small-modular-reactors.aspx#/
The pitch seems to be they can make nuclear power cheaper by building smaller power stations using a production-line principle rather than the kind of mega one-off builds like that in progress at Hinkley Point. The brochure says each SMR will generate between 220 & 440MW, which means you’d need between 8 & 15 SMRs to replace Hinkley Point C. Would that be cheaper? Plus certain aspects of nuclear power don’t scale with plant size, such as the difficulty of finding enough sites and the costs of ensuring safety and security. Good luck to them, but it looks like an uphill struggle to me.

[madasafish]

I'm sure I read somewhere that we were considering building a number of small nuclear plants round the country. Could they be up and running by 2030.

I also wonder about the ease of replacing the millions of domestic gas boilers. I wonder how disruptive that would be in each home.

Nucs produced by Rolls Royce.
None ordered.

[Jocko]

such as the difficulty of finding enough sites

From what I have read about them they propose siting them near major conurbations to supply power to cities without major extensions to the grid. When you think about it, they were happy to put nuclear submarines with their reactors just a few miles from Edinburgh and Glasgow. Oh, but that is in Scotland, my mistake.

[sparky Paul]

Not good news from Toyota

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/07/toyota-will-not-invest-in-electric-cars-in-uk-until-at-least-2034

[JimSh]

Not good news from Toyota

https://www.theguardian.com/business/2020/dec/07/toyota-will-not-invest-in-electric-cars-in-uk-until-at-least-2034

Politics alert 

[sparky Paul]

Politics alert 

I nearly didn't post it, but I was more curious about the indication that they would continue building new hybrid models... thus saving the Deeside engine plant.

I'll happily delete it if it bothers anyone.

[JimSh]

I nearly didn't post it, but I was more curious about the indication that they would continue building new hybrid models... thus saving the Deeside engine plant.

I'll happily delete it if it bothers anyone.

Not for me. My tongue was in my cheek. In fact I was nearly going to post a link earlier this morning.

[Kremmen]

If Boz and Toyota continue then surely they can't produce Hybrids between 2030 and 2035 ?

[sparky Paul]

Here comes the future

https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2020/dec/07/uk-first-all-electric-car-charging-forecourt-opens-in-essex

The forecourts will offer super-fast wifi, and stand alongside a range of “Best of British” shops including WH Smith and Boots as well as Costa Coffee and the Post Office. Some will offer business meeting pods, a children’s play centre and a “wellbeing area” with exercise bikes that generate electricity.

Now that's enterprising!

[Jocko]

When you think about all the Peloton bikes and the gyms with exercise bikes and steppers, rowing machines etc., we should be recovering all that energy in the form of electricity. 

[sparky Paul]

When you think about all the Peloton bikes and the gyms with exercise bikes and steppers, rowing machines etc., we should be recovering all that energy in the form of electricity. 

Quick, patent that idea... 

[Kremmen]

Peleton, pedalling away like mad and not getting anywhere 

[madasafish]

One of their *very nice and no doubt expensive) ads starts with a man doing yoga...

[John Ratsey]

From what I have read about them they propose siting them near major conurbations to supply power to cities without major extensions to the grid.

Putting the power stations close to urban areas provides potential to use the waste heat (and a steam turbine is no more than 40% efficient) for heating of buildings. Some big plumbing would need to be installed but it's one way to stop is freezing during winter without adding more carbon to the atmosphere. District heating systems are common in many countries.

[JimSh]

When you think about all the Peloton bikes and the gyms with exercise bikes and steppers, rowing machines etc., we should be recovering all that energy in the form of electricity. 

Why not cut out the energy conversions and have more people walking and cycling?