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Italian parliament votes for return to nuclear energy

908 points · 818 comments · geox

  1. jacquesm · · focus · HN ↗
    I've seen quite a few SMR proposals over the last couple of years and not a single one that dared to address the whole cycle from deployment to eventual decommission as a function of the total revenues - costs to operate. Most of these projects seem to be made to bilk investors or governments rather than to actually produce power. The day Italy produces the first KWh that is net profitable to the operators without counting subsidies I will be highly amazed, and that's assuming they get to operational in the first place.
    1. Al-Khwarizmi · · focus · HN ↗
      Why does electricity need to be profitable? Are roads, justice systems, or armies profitable?
      1. mynti · · focus · HN ↗
        It does not. But there are so many sources that can be. And easily at that. So why go this route?
        1. asmodeuslucifer · · focus · HN ↗
          A lot of countries consider energy security national security, and national security always bats last.

          A lot of countries also use it to help subsidize (or help cover up the costs of) their military nuclear programs.

          1. bdauvergne · · focus · HN ↗
            That's just not true. Event is PWR reactors take their root in the nuclear program for plutonium generation, that's not the case anymore.
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