One algorithm (click here) that lets a robot manipulate a Rubik's Cube used as much energy as 3 nuclear plants produce in an hour.
Let's get this right. That is steam. Nuclear power plants have no or little greenhouse gas emissions. But, they have a significant heat budget in producing energy.
When nuclear power plants were first developed their "heat transfer" was about keeping the cores cool (click here).
We know nuclear power plants produce a great deal of heat that is expelled into a water pool near the plant. But, they also produce a great deal of heat into the air. These heat transfers have never been measured that I am aware of and they need to be examined for the amount of heat they are producing.
The greenhouse gases are still the primary focus. If we remove those gases from the troposphere and lower the amount of INSULATING layers from Earth, these power plants would be a far less threat to Earth's climate than they are today. Until Earth's troposphere has vastly reduced greenhouse gases in it's content, these plants are adding to the heat budget of Earth, both in the cooling water pools and the steam that is emitted.
So, are nuclear power plants the best alternative to fossil fuel enegy? No. But, they don't produce greenhouse gases and that is everything at this point. Nuclear power plants really do need to be examined to the heat they produce both in the water and the atmosphere. We are measuring Earth's viability of life based on degrees celcius increase. The current standard is to remain below 2 degrees celcius and that is a prudent goal. But, to think because nuclear power doesn't produce greenhouse gases and that should solve all problems is very wrong. Nuclear power plants are a problem on many fronts and HEAT TRANSFER INTO EARTH'S WATERS AND CLIMATE is one of the problems nuclear causes for Earth.
