Engineers and industry leaders from across Australia met yesterday to discuss the future of nuclear energy in the country at the Engineers Australia’s Nuclear Forum which was held at the Melbourne Convention and Exhibition Centre.
In accordance with the Federal Government’s Energy Green Paper, discussions at the Nuclear Forum were aimed at finding a way to secure reliable and affordable energy in a technology neutral way that could also help to lower emissions.
Tony Irwin, Chair of Engineers Australia’s Nuclear Energy Panel and speaker at the Forum, said these objectives clearly put nuclear power on the table with other low emissions options.
“It is time to take a fresh look at nuclear energy, free of misconceptions based on out-of-date knowledge and technologies. The improvements in the nuclear energy sector over the past few decades have been phenomenal, with newer model reactors being more economically competitive and dramatically safer,” Mr Irwin said.
“In particular, small modular reactors with their natural safety based on passive safety systems using gravity, natural circulation and pressurised tanks, represent a game-changer that is particularly suitable for Australian conditions. Wind- and solar-energy are subject to intermittent supply issues. Nuclear power offers the option of low carbon emissions, and a constant, reliable supply.”
The Nuclear Forum is a feature of the energy program at Convention 2014, in which energy change, electricity management and nuclear power was discussed by leading engineers and industry leaders.
Engineers Australia’s Convention 2014 runs from 24-28 November.
