Leaders.com
  • Login
  • Subscribe
  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
  • Master Classes
  • Business
    • Entrepreneurs
    • Executives
    • Marketing and Sales
    • Social Media
    • Innovation
    • Women in Business
  • Leadership
    • Personal Growth
    • Company Culture
    • Public Speaking
    • Productivity
    • Hiring
    • Social Issues
    • Leaders
  • Wealth
    • Investing
    • Cryptocurrency
    • Retirement
    • Venture Capital
    • Loans and Borrowing
    • Taxes
    • Markets
    • Real Estate
  • Master Classes
  • Login
  • Subscribe
Environment

(Photo Getty Images)

By Hannah Bryan Leaders Staff

Hannah Bryan

Hannah Bryan

News Writer

Hannah Bryan is a news writer for Leaders Media. Most recently she was a reporter for the Sanilac County News...

Full bio


Learn about our editorial policy

Jan 24, 2023

Demanding Much More Of Nuclear Energy

As countries look for carbon-free power sources, nuclear power plants are pushed to the limit, producing greater amounts of energy for longer than intended. 

Key Details

  • Nuclear power plants were built with a lifespan in mind, but the need for more carbon-free energy sources is leading to increased dependence on aging reactors. 
  • The typical power plant has a 40-year lifespan, but some have been successfully run for 80 years.
  • Increased energy demand has some asking whether or not the plants can be maintained for an additional decade or two, keeping the plants around for at least 100 years. 
  • Of the countries with nuclear power plants, the U.S. has the oldest fleet. The average U.S. plant is about 42 years old. 
  • Within the next ten years, nearly two-thirds of the world’s reactors will be beyond the standard lifespan of 40 years, Bloomberg reports. 

Why it’s news

Keeping nuclear power plants around beyond their traditional lifespan wouldn’t have been a question decades ago, but as more governments commit to carbon-free energy initiatives, they are forced to increase dependency on nuclear reactors.

Nearly 70 nations have committed to net-zero emissions, and the U.S. and Europe have planned to reduce their greenhouse gas emissions 50% by 2030. However, the end date for that goal is quickly approaching. 

In the UK, officials hope to increase nuclear electricity generation from 15% to 25% by 2050. The U.S. plans to keep up the aging arsenal of power plants with nearly $6 billion in government subsidies. Belgium, Finland, and Slovakia are extending their plants’ lives, and France has plans to construct new reactors. Last year, Germany decided to keep three of its plants that were previously scheduled to be closed. 

Before nuclear’s new-found popularity, proponents of the energy source were dwindling. The expensive initial investment and accidents, including Chernobyl and Fukushima, soured public sentiment. Because of this, few new plants have been constructed in recent years.  

Even if government officials were to start investing in newly constructed plants now, construction can sometimes take up to ten years—too late to reach 2030 goals. 

While depending on old reactors might work in the meantime, the plants’ age does present additional risks, such as brittle concrete and steel. Nuclear accidents are rare, but when they happen, the results can be disastrous when they happen. 

As the reactors age, some experts argue that there is no way to achieve emissions goals without temporarily depending on nuclear power plants. The geriatric plants will require more frequent and more expensive repairs, but maintaining nuclear energy output may be the only way to reach carbon-emission goals by 2030. 

Home / News / Demanding Much More Of Nuclear Energy
Share
FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Related Stories

Dealing With the High Cost Of Eggs

by Hannah Bryan Leaders Staff
Business

Jan 27, 2023

High egg prices are driving consumers to search for potential egg replacements—including plant-based alternatives. 

Key Details

  • The price of eggs has nearly tripled since the pandemic, driven by inflationary prices and shortages caused by an avian flu outbreak. 
  • Eggs are traditionally a cheap, reliable source of protein. Their recent inaccessibility poses a problem for consumers. 
  • Consumers are turning to egg replacements and alternatives, including freeze-dried eggs and plant-based alternatives. 
  • Plant-based egg replacements are traditionally more expensive than eggs, but the price surge has changed that. 

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

The Shows That Streamed the Most

by Savannah Young Leaders Staff
Entertainment

Jan 27, 2023

Stranger Things on Netflix is the most-watched streaming show of 2022, but Paramount+ has content that is catching up.

Key Details

  • Netflix’s Stranger Things was the most-streamed show in the U.S., with more than 52 billion minutes of viewing time over the year, according to the Hollywood Reporter.
  • That made the original series land the biggest number since The Office claimed 57.1 billion minutes of viewing during the lockdown in 2020.
  • Stranger Things had a 36% higher watch rate than the second most watched show, NCIS, only having 38.1 billion.
  • Paramount+ is moving up the ranks to compete with Netflix—Paramount+ is the second most shows with the most streams, according to The Wrap.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn

Panasonic Doing What It Does Best

by Savannah Young Leaders Staff
Business

Jan 27, 2023

Battery maker Panasonic is optimistic that the U.S. could build another battery plant to advance toward higher electric vehicle (EV) production.

Key Details

  • In November, Panasonic broke ground on a new $4 billion factory in DeSoto, Kansas, that will create batteries for multiple customers.
  • The factory adds another 60% to Panasonic’s global battery capacity.
  • As EV growth continues, the need for battery production ramps up as well, and the president of Panasonic Energy North America, Allan Swan, is optimistic that the U.S. could build another EV battery factory.

Go deeper

FacebookTweetEmailLinkedIn
Despite economists’ recessionary outlooks, American Express CEO Stephen Squeri (left) doesn’t see a significant downturn coming soon
Business

Jan 27, 2023

Amex Chief Offers Different View Of Recession

by Savannah Young Leaders Staff
SBF family may testify
Cryptocurrency

Jan 27, 2023

The FTX Family Affair Collapse

by Hannah Bryan Leaders Staff
stock market
Markets

Jan 27, 2023

Comeback Rally Marches On

by Hannah Bryan Leaders Staff

Recent Articles

Wealth

Jan 27, 2023

How to Start Flipping Houses + 4 Mistakes That Could Bankrupt You

Learn how to start flipping houses to make a profit

Personal Growth

Jan 27, 2023

Top 10 Powerful Habits of Successful People for 2023

Try these habits for more life and career success

Business

Jan 26, 2023

How to Prepare for an Interview: 14 Tips to Get the Job

Ace your interview with these tips

  • Business
  • Leadership
  • Wealth
Join the Leaders Community

Get exclusive tools and resources you need to grow as a leader and scale a purpose-driven business.

Subscribing indicates your consent to our Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy

Leaders.com
  • Privacy Policy
  • About
  • Careers
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
  • Disclosures
  • Editorial Policy
  • Member Login

© 2023 Leaders.com - All rights reserved.

Search Leaders.com