Jim's talk was an interesting one.
He made the point that with power generation representing only some proportion of the total CO2 output of Australia, any significant reduction would have to involve other sectors, not just power generation. The Government would find it impossible to meet its CO2 targets through just power generation
He made a good case that it would be difficult to feed intermittent power into the existing grid. Nevertheless, my point was that by localising an industry which could use intermittent power - say aluminium smelting - with a link to an intermittent electricity generator outside of grid, we could make effective use of such power - just not through the main grid, feeding consumers.
He made a good case that moving to renewable energy for consumer electricity would effectively double the cost of electricity, but nuclear would not be as expensive.
I've not covered much of Jim's talk, and indeed he was not able to cover all of the material related to Nuclear Power. It was in any case a fascinating talk.
I've included some references to sources on the web which Jim has since provided me with :
Australasian Radiation Protection Society
Australian Radiation Protection and Nuclear Safety Authority
Australian Safeguards and Non-proliferation Office
Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation (Lucas Heights research reactor)
Also see above for the report "Introducing Nuclear Power to Australia" - first 40 or so pages
Australian Uranium Association (updates on the nuclear industry)
The above association also have a quarterly newsletter which they will send on request
The UN / WHO report on Chernobyl, ( First 8 or so pages of 78. "The human consequences of the Chernobyl Nuclear Accident - a strategy for recovery")
DR Z Jaworowski reprint from EIR Science and Technology May 7 2004 pages 58-63. "Lessons of Chernobyl: Nuclear Power is Safe". This author was on the spot in Poland at the time.
Report by the Royal Academy of Engineering UK - "The Cost of Generating Electricity"
Look for "Reports", then "Environment/sustainability" and select report.
For an understanding of the National Electricity Market
For information on problems with intermittent inputs (wind, solar)
Look under "Intermittent Generation" and select from the list.
Jim is trying to track down the Switkowski report and "Australia's uranium - Greenhouse friendly fuel for an energy hungry world", a House of Representatives Standing Committee report. More details as they come to hand.