The NEI reports that the record-breaking snowstorm that overtook the Eastern Seaboard last weekend caused considerable misery, but the nuclear reactors in the region remained steadfast in their ability to supply electricity....as opposed to wind and solar, both of which would have had to shut down operations in such conditions.
U.S. nuclear reactors continue to demonstrate their value in a diverse energy portfolio, showing steady upward increases in an already stellar record of reliability. In 2015, according to preliminary data, U.S. reactors posted an estimated average capacity factor of 91.9%, the power industry best, and far and away better that either wind or solar.
Availability factor measures the percentage of time a power plant can provide power to the grid in that period. Capacity factor measures the total electricity generated as a percentage of potential generation for a defined time period.
I2M WP Eds ...Here again, neither wind nor solar comes anywhere close to nuclear-generated power.
The cost electricity generated by nuclear power is low because the cost of construction is spread over 50 years and more, and the cost of operations (O and M) is low. Although the cost of construction for wind and solar systems can be low, the O and M costs, without government subsidies, is very high, which translates into higher cost of electricity to the consumer.
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Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-
Managed & Built by I2M Consulting, LLC | © 2010-