Nuclear Power vs. Renewables. The Scale Perspective

A low carbon electricity generating technology will contribute to the energy transition only if it is able to scale up. From that perspective, we compare nuclear, wind and solar power with respect to the size of a typical power plant, across the criteria of physical scalability, build- ing experience and financial lumpiness. Because size differs by 3 orders of magnitude between these technologies, markedly different findings obtain, providing a convincing rationale for the relative successes and failures of the industries behind each. We conclude that smaller devices such as solar panels allow for more innovation, more financing and thus a faster diffusion. By the same token, we see no end in sight for the problems afflicting nuclear power. We make a modest case for the novel modular concept even though it falls pray to the same essential defects. The tendency toward gigantism afflicting wind power may brings forth the difficulties nuclear power has faced for long.