Abstract
Climate scientists are alarmed at the rate global temperatures are rising and its knock-on effect on biodiversity. Some believe we are in the midst of the sixth mass extinction. Even as the evidence is apparent, the extraction of coal, oil and gas continues unabated to feed an insatiable demand for energy.
Global initiatives such as COP 27 and COP15 have not made as much headway as needed. Carbon sequestration is too costly. Solar and wind energy are not the silver bullet they have been made up to be.
The deployment of solar panels and wind turbines on land and over oceans desecrates the world’s biodiversity. Its impact is no less than that of wild forest fires and droughts.
The best tool to date to produce energy is by nuclear fission. It has zero emission, virtually zero impact on climate change and biodiversity owing to its high capacity factor and energy density and hence small spatial footprint. The spent fuel is also dense and hence easy to manage compared to CO2 and carbon particulates.
Floating nuclear power plants overcome many of the challenges that land based nuclear power plants face including construction and geotechnical issues and the loss of water replenishment source.
The proposal here is to build a lagoon to surround the floating plant. This would enhance security and provide other benefits including storing spent fuel and provide a benign environment for operation and maintenance. Within the lagoon, desalination and green hydrogen production may also be carried out.
