real world EVs review

Daemon64

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Jul 19, 2019
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Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
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2022 Polestar 2 BEV - Current, 2021 Q5 55e PHEV - Retired, 2015 Q5 3.0 TDI - Retired, 2013 Golf TDI - Retired
I’ve heard rumors of the reopening of the Palisades Nuke plant in Michigan also
For Palisades - That is no rumor. They've been sending funding, theyre in active process with the NRC and local govt to review the operations, the state of the plant, and to make any necessary upgrades to bring it fully in line with modern regulations and operations. They're aiming for for a Late 2025 restart of the plant. They've been hiring hundreds of staff back, and new staff from operators to nuclear engineers. So that one is real and Holtec is being somewhat aggressive on it.

The 3 Mile island one is interesting because its been shut down a bit longer, but Microsoft from my reading signed a 20 year power purchase agree from reactor 1 of 3 mile island for 100% of its power. Reactor one was shut down in 2019 and they're aiming for a return to operation of 2028.
 

jmodge

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Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Location
Greenville, MI
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2001 alh Jetta, RC2 w/.205's 5speed daily summer commuter and 2000 alh Jetta 5spd swap, 2" lift, hitch, stage 3 TDtuning w/.216's winter cruiser, 1996 Tacoma ALh
For Palisades - That is no rumor. They've been sending funding, theyre in active process with the NRC and local govt to review the operations, the state of the plant, and to make any necessary upgrades to bring it fully in line with modern regulations and operations. They're aiming for for a Late 2025 restart of the plant. They've been hiring hundreds of staff back, and new staff from operators to nuclear engineers. So that one is real and Holtec is being somewhat aggressive on it.

The 3 Mile island one is interesting because its been shut down a bit longer, but Microsoft from my reading signed a 20 year power purchase agree from reactor 1 of 3 mile island for 100% of its power. Reactor one was shut down in 2019 and they're aiming for a return to operation of 2028.
Not arguing your facts, just my opinion and always skeptical about planning and speculation. I’ve seen many such prophecies disappear. It wouldn’t my feelings if it did disappear due to politics or whatever. So I have to see it to believe it, just not crazy about nuclear waste accumulation or profit based decisions what’s best for society. Especially when it comes to water. Hoping not to see it, but I won’t fall apart if it happens. From what I know, the steam side of that plant requires a lot of updating. If they’re willing, they’ll find a way to squeeze the treasure chest.
 

Daemon64

Veteran Member
Joined
Jul 19, 2019
Location
Tyngsborough, Massachusetts
TDI
2022 Polestar 2 BEV - Current, 2021 Q5 55e PHEV - Retired, 2015 Q5 3.0 TDI - Retired, 2013 Golf TDI - Retired
Not arguing your facts, just my opinion and always skeptical about planning and speculation. I’ve seen many such prophecies disappear. It wouldn’t my feelings if it did disappear due to politics or whatever. So I have to see it to believe it, just not crazy about nuclear waste accumulation or profit based decisions what’s best for society. Especially when it comes to water. Hoping not to see it, but I won’t fall apart if it happens. From what I know, the steam side of that plant requires a lot of updating. If they’re willing, they’ll find a way to squeeze the treasure chest.
Naaa you're good for sure. I feel that about the political will of things being a wind that blows one way one day, and another another day.

Yeah I figure they already knew about the steam part, because holtec has a ton of experience looking at these things. Not necessarily operators though which is why i figured that they hired back so many ex-plant workers.

As far as the water statement I agree that classic large scale reactors like this have an inherent issue of potential water pollution depending, this is why I like the idea of SMR better because do not require flowing water. But thats neither here nor there.

On the waste part I was watching a documentary about a french company that recycles the nuclear waste into new fuel, significantly reducing how much waste makes its way back into the chain. IDK if there will ever be political will for that.
 

gulfcoastguy

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Joined
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MS Gulfcoast
TDI
TDI sold, Mazda 3 purchased
Naaa you're good for sure. I feel that about the political will of things being a wind that blows one way one day, and another another day.

Yeah I figure they already knew about the steam part, because holtec has a ton of experience looking at these things. Not necessarily operators though which is why i figured that they hired back so many ex-plant workers.

As far as the water statement I agree that classic large scale reactors like this have an inherent issue of potential water pollution depending, this is why I like the idea of SMR better because do not require flowing water. But thats neither here nor there.

On the waste part I was watching a documentary about a french company that recycles the nuclear waste into new fuel, significantly reducing how much waste makes its way back into the chain. IDK if there will ever be political will for that.
Canada has been recycling their nuclear waste for years. Just search for Cando reactors on ewetube.
 

jmodge

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Greenville, MI
TDI
2001 alh Jetta, RC2 w/.205's 5speed daily summer commuter and 2000 alh Jetta 5spd swap, 2" lift, hitch, stage 3 TDtuning w/.216's winter cruiser, 1996 Tacoma ALh
That’s interesting, didn’t know that was done. I was by the Coal Generator plant in Port Sheldon a few weeks ago, still running with a huge pile of reserves. I talked to someone there a few years back that said it was a ten year project to phase it out. Beautiful parcel of land and a marina that once was reserved for employees. Skeleton crew there now
 

El Dobro

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Joined
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Location
NJ
TDI
2017 Bolt EV Premier, 2023 Bolt EUV Premier
Naaa you're good for sure. I feel that about the political will of things being a wind that blows one way one day, and another another day.

Yeah I figure they already knew about the steam part, because holtec has a ton of experience looking at these things. Not necessarily operators though which is why i figured that they hired back so many ex-plant workers.

As far as the water statement I agree that classic large scale reactors like this have an inherent issue of potential water pollution depending, this is why I like the idea of SMR better because do not require flowing water. But thats neither here nor there.

On the waste part I was watching a documentary about a french company that recycles the nuclear waste into new fuel, significantly reducing how much waste makes its way back into the chain. IDK if there will ever be political will for that.
Probably this one.
 

jmodge

Top Post Dawg
Joined
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Location
Greenville, MI
TDI
2001 alh Jetta, RC2 w/.205's 5speed daily summer commuter and 2000 alh Jetta 5spd swap, 2" lift, hitch, stage 3 TDtuning w/.216's winter cruiser, 1996 Tacoma ALh
Naaa you're good for sure. I feel that about the political will of things being a wind that blows one way one day, and another another day.

Yeah I figure they already knew about the steam part, because holtec has a ton of experience looking at these things. Not necessarily operators though which is why i figured that they hired back so many ex-plant workers.

As far as the water statement I agree that classic large scale reactors like this have an inherent issue of potential water pollution depending, this is why I like the idea of SMR better because do not require flowing water. But thats neither here nor there.

On the waste part I was watching a documentary about a french company that recycles the nuclear waste into new fuel, significantly reducing how much waste makes its way back into the chain. IDK if there will ever be political will for that.
Weird coincidence, I turned the tube on last night and it was on the story channel. Nuclear waste storage and the testing of containers along with theory of operation and longevity. They designed warning signs that would supposedly last 1000 years.
My first thoughts were wondering if humanity lasted that long, what would the chances be the persons finding those signs would understand the written language on them.
 

kjclow

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Charlotte, NC
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2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
They're already working on recycling wind turbine blades. They learn as they go along. Recycling of wind turbine blades: Recent developments - ScienceDirect
The rest is political, that's why we vote. In my state they're already working on dropping EV incentives. I just got my registration renewal for the EUV yesterday and it was $327. Next year, it'll be $337. The government giveth and the government taketh.
The company I retired from was one of the main designers of the original blades. Once it was determined that they coatings kept them from being recycled, they worked on developing different coatings. Windmills being put up today should be fully recyclable.
 

kjclow

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Joined
Apr 26, 2003
Location
Charlotte, NC
TDI
2010 JSW TDI silver and black. 2017 Ram Ecodiesel dark red with brown and beige interior.
Not all of them. Some are fiberglass. Aluminum and steel were too fragile for that specific application. Couldn't get the strength, thickness, and weight parameters dialed in.
 

El Dobro

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Location
NJ
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2017 Bolt EV Premier, 2023 Bolt EUV Premier
Not all of them. Some are fiberglass. Aluminum and steel were too fragile for that specific application. Couldn't get the strength, thickness, and weight parameters dialed in.
The company in the link is making them out of wood.
 

dieseldonato

Veteran Member
Joined
Mar 10, 2023
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Us
TDI
2001 jetta
I wonder if going to be used exclusively by Microsoft or will it be shared with locals.
Supposedly 100% power produced will be used by a local Microsoft server farm. Being a local, were not super happy about that. When unit 1 shut down, our power rates basically tripled. They claimed it wasn't profitable to keep it going, even though they had just extended the operating permit. As far as I know, it's more a less a done deal at this point. Just need the clear the inspections/updates and whatever other red tape that needs done.
I’ve heard rumors of the reopening of the Palisades Nuke plant in Michigan also
Not a rumor, it's happening. If palisades and 3 mile island work out, I'd expect to see more shuttered plants to start coming back on line too.
 

turbobrick240

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Joined
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maine
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2011 vw golf tdi(gone to greener pastures), 2001 ford f250 powerstroke
The volume of red tape at the NRC is pretty daunting. Mega-corporations like Microsoft probably have ways to cut through a lot of that, though.
 

jmodge

Top Post Dawg
Joined
Jun 18, 2015
Location
Greenville, MI
TDI
2001 alh Jetta, RC2 w/.205's 5speed daily summer commuter and 2000 alh Jetta 5spd swap, 2" lift, hitch, stage 3 TDtuning w/.216's winter cruiser, 1996 Tacoma ALh
Supposedly 100% power produced will be used by a local Microsoft server farm. Being a local, were not super happy about that. When unit 1 shut down, our power rates basically tripled. They claimed it wasn't profitable to keep it going, even though they had just extended the operating permit. As far as I know, it's more a less a done deal at this point. Just need the clear the inspections/updates and whatever other red tape that needs done.

Not a rumor, it's happening. If palisades and 3 mile island work out, I'd expect to see more shuttered plants to start coming back on line too.
They’re phasing the coal plant out at Port Sheldon, that’ll be its replacement. Big old pile to burn through yet.
 

El Dobro

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Joined
Feb 21, 2006
Location
NJ
TDI
2017 Bolt EV Premier, 2023 Bolt EUV Premier
EV "gas stations". Works for me, when I'm on the road.
 

IndigoBlueWagon

TDIClub Enthusiast, Principal IDParts, Vendor , w/
Joined
Aug 16, 2004
Location
South of Boston
TDI
'97 Passat, '99.5 Golf, '02 Jetta Wagon, '15 GSW
Not gonna lie, I like it. I'm not sure why it had to weigh 6,300 lbs, and the range is pretty pathetic. Areo matters, I guess. But still...
 

Jr mason

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Oct 20, 2013
Location
Ohio
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01 Beetle, 2012 Jetta
Same reason the Hummer H3 weighs less than 5k lbs compared to the new Hummer EV clearing 9k lbs. Batteries are heavy, and weight requires energy to move.
 

gearheadgrrrl

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Dec 15, 2002
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Buffalo Ridge (southwest Minnesota)
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'15 Golf DSG, '13 JSW DSG surrendered to VW, '03 Golf 2 door manual
VW Group's Scout operation was wise to add the option of an on board IC engine to charge their batteries- A small IC engine capable of 100KW can weight less than 100KG and eliminate the need for hundreds of KGs of batteries!
 
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