Habeck's nuclear power plant veto: Five arguments against the extension - and what to think of it
Created: 07/22/2022, 09:08
By: Marc Beyer
The traffic light is still saying no to extending the life of the last three nuclear power plants. The arguments are always the same - but are they conclusive?
An overview.
Munich –
electricity vs. heat:
It is often stated that there is no electricity problem, but rather a heat problem.
This argument is misleading.
16 percent of Germany's net electricity generation in 2021 was generated from natural gas.
This amount is to be replaced by other sources, the Ministry of Economic Affairs refers to coal-fired power plants.
They're not clean.
At the same time, the government itself seems to be anticipating a power shortage.
She recently recommended that companies purchase emergency generators.
In the event that gas becomes scarce, more and more people are getting fan heaters.
They are operated with electricity.
Nuclear power: counter-argument fuel rods?
TÜV presents results
Fuel elements:
The fuel is created for a certain period of time, says the Economics Minister.
If you want to use it longer, you have to throttle the power now, but it is still needed now.
However, experts point out that in "stretching mode" the elements can be used for longer by lowering the temperature in the reactor.
"This is an approved and frequently tested mode of operation," says Uwe Stoll, technical and scientific director at the Society for Plant and Reactor Safety in Garching.
"The performance is slightly lower", about 0.5 percent per day, but is available for longer.
TÜV Süd recently came to the conclusion that the "Isar 2" power plant could supply electricity for 1.5 million households until August 2023 without new fuel rods.
According to TÜV, the Gundremmingen power plant could contribute almost as much with existing elements – if it were to be started up.
The nuclear power plants (AKW) Isar 1 (r) and Isar 2 with the cooling tower in the middle.
Isar 2 is one of three still running German nuclear reactors that are scheduled to be shut down by the end of the year.
© Armin Weigel/dpa
Arguments against the extension of the service life: “In terms of safety, there is no question at all”
Safety:
The last major safety check of the last three kilns took place in 2009.
After ten years, when it would have been due again, another test was not carried out due to the foreseeable switch-off date.
That doesn't mean that the piles are now risk areas.
"In terms of safety, there's no question about it," says core chemist Andreas Kronenberg.
When it comes to the running time, he sees “a lot of reserve” in nuclear energy, more than in any other branch of industry: “It’s not yoghurt that’s wasting away there.” Uwe Stoll emphasizes that even a major review of reactor safety would not cause any problems in practice : “This is mostly paperwork.
Operations continue.”
Nuclear power: Lack of staff as a sticking point - German majority for lifetime extension
Lack of staff:
Kernchem Kronenberg actually sees “a big problem” here.
Younger employees had long since changed jobs, while older ones were approaching retirement.
"You could maybe reactivate a few pensioners," but finding qualified staff wouldn't be easy.
What gives him hope: "In nuclear energy, the team spirit is very strong.
They tick differently.” Kronenberg therefore believes: “It would be feasible for three power plants.”
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Social approval:
For a long time, the majority of Germans supported the phase-out of nuclear energy.
This has changed under the impact of the energy crisis.
At the beginning of June, in an Insa survey, 50 percent were in favor of extending the service life, while 35 percent were against it.
A few weeks later the ratio was already 61:32 on the ARD Deutschlandtrend and 57:41 on the ZDF Politbarometer.
(Marc Beyer)