[p2p-research] Nuclear energy and the issue of centralisation

[Michel Bauwens]

I think this issue should be specifically considered by Stan and other
proponents of nuclear energy:

(via http://www.jeffvail.net/2009/12/nuclear-energy-hierarchy-and.html)

What concerns me most about nuclear (all reactor types) is that they are
exceedingly centralized and maintain and spawn intensification of hierarchy.
I think this the most significant problem because, ultimately, we need to
overcome our addiction to perpetual growth if we ever want to be truly
sustainable. My theory is that, at its core, we will not solve growth unless
we reduce the excess of hierarchy in our civilization.

The point of view<http://www.jeffvail.net/2009/12/nuclear-energy-hierarchy-and.html>of
*Jeff Vail*:

*“I’m generally opposed to nuclear power, though not on the traditional
grounds. Initially, I think we’ll have fuel and net energy issues if we try
to rely on conventional reactors. I’m not yet convinced that a thorough
net-energy analysis has been run on breeder reactors, but I’m open to the
possibility that they provide sufficient net energy (I’d draw the line at
roughly 10:1 after a fully-inclusive accounting of energy inputs). That
said, I don’t think the technology is mature enough to know this either way
at this time (and it’s a potential deal-breaker in my view). Also, I’m
concerned by the long time of energy payback with nuclear–as with most forms
of renewably-generated electricity, a high percentage of the energy input
comes up front, but the payback is stretched over the next 30-50 years. That
can create a real energy “cash-flow” problem, what I’ve called the
“Renewables Gap” (not that I’d classify nuclear as renewable, but breeders
come effectively close to that).*

*However, it may be possible to overcome all of these issues. I think we may
even be able to find a way to address the many and serious externalities of
nuclear power (namely spent fule disposal, proliferation risk, operational
risk). What concerns me most about nuclear (all reactor types) is that they
are exceedingly centralized and maintain and spawn intensification of
hierarchy. I think this the most significant problem because, ultimately, we
need to overcome our addiction to perpetual growth if we ever want to be
truly sustainable. My theory is that, at its core, we will not solve growth
unless we reduce the excess of hierarchy in our civilization. For that
reason, nuclear energy, even the potential of very efficient and “safe”
breeder reactors, is like a chronic-pain patient treating their narcotic
side effects and rebound pain with new and more powerful narcotics… it may
postpone the problem, but ultimately it’s making it much, much worse.”*


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