Green Peace Leader Rags on Solar Power

[greenacy]

I was just curious what everyone thinks about the leader of Green Peace boasting that Nuclear power is great and that solar power and wind power are wastes of time. To me it sounds like a pay off what does everyone else think?

[Rog]

Where has he said that? Do you have a link?

[greenacy]

Sorry Rog I thought I threw it in there

A Renegade Against Greenpeace | Newsweek Future Of Energy | Newsweek.com

And solar is completely ridiculous.

Although I agree that nuclear energy isn't 'evil' to see the founder of green peace tearing down renewable energy that causes no harmful radiation makes me more than a little sad.

[arno]

What an odd thing to say. It might not be able to contribute vast amounts at the moment but it will be crucial in the future.

[greenacy]

I have been cruising the news articles lately and at least 2 articles on nuclear news have sited his statements and are using his 'greenpeace' connection to make it look like the environmental community is turning around. I doubt it will hurt us detrimentally but it is a concern.

[LMagic007]

I read the article and I'm also surprised at the remarks. Putting everything else aside just for the moment, if one looks at future cost projections, fossil fuel costs are rising and renewable fuel costs are projected to fall over time. I understand it takes 10 to 15 years to build a nuclear plant, when we really want solutions that can be implemented in a much shorter time frame. In 10 years time one may reasonably expect solar and wind to be even more competitive on cost than today. Thus I find it difficult to see the rationale of his argument on mid to long term cost projections alone.


The other thing I would like to say is that I think we have far too much centralisation and reliance on centralised systems like nuclear and coal fired energy. I think our energy security lies in decentralisation as much as possible. Solar and wind energy suit this model far better than nuclear or coal. If we can empower communities to take more control over their own local power generation, I think overall grid security and reliability can be improved. I think a good mix of both centralised and decentralised power generation is optimal from a risk management perspective. Solar thermal technology is showing great promise for base load generation with capacity factors of 70% or even higher under the right circumstances.

[include]

I reckon he was probably misquoted or something.

[LMagic007]

Not sure, but the fact he's no longer working for Green Peace may help explain why some of his views now appear to be at odds with those of Green Peace.

I think it's a somewhat odd argument to be having anyway from both sides. i.e. the notion that any technology is evil. It does become somewhat philosophical though. i.e. man can be judged but a man made object ( nuclear energy ) in itself surely cannot be viewed in the same way. i.e. seen in the context that well many technologies can be turned against man.

That said, I'm not a proponent of more nuclear energy, when solar energy appears to have such a bright future. I'm not going to get involved with this one. It's a can of worms and I've probably said too much already.

[Wobs]

Originally Posted by greenacy

I was just curious what everyone thinks about the leader of Green Peace boasting that Nuclear power is great and that solar power and wind power are wastes of time. To me it sounds like a pay off what does everyone else think?

Old news. The guy talks sense, if you read the article. If you think we can do away with nuclear, coal, and gas, you're living on hope.

Why do people think that just because someone has a different opinion to them, they must be the pay of someone? Greenpeace has long been dishonest about nuclear, and someone that has left such an organisation might just like to be more honest.

[Wobs]

Originally Posted by LMagic007

Solar thermal technology is showing great promise for base load generation with capacity factors of 70% or even higher under the right circumstances.

You obviously don't watch TV at night.