Patrick

plotting and scheming

[Patrick @pcurran100]

Absolutely a balance must be struck, but it should not be possible for small groups of objectors to block national infrastructure projects that would be massively beneficial to the common good on very flimsy reasoning.

I would not be convinced that more resources would be the solution - disincentivising objections would free up more resources.

This is not to say that legitimate concerns shouldn't be heard - but it should not be possible for serial objectors to constantly block all forms of development anywhere remotely near to them.

It's a delicate process, I don't have an exact solution but I will look into it more.

[Patrick @pcurran100]

@Gretcie @eoinmauricedaly Well the hope here is that nuclear gets legalised soon.
Planning permission is a whole other mess that needs to be addressed if we want any semblance of progress in this country.
I will continue to hope for better though - having ambition will not cause any harm.

[Patrick @pcurran100]

This is good, and I don't disagree, but I feel it glazes over actual action points.
"Accelerating renewables, grid integration, system flexibility and energy efficiency", but this doesn't focus on the steps actually required here.
What should be the public/private balance? What is currently holding back public and private sector development?
The reason I highlight planning is that it is one of the largest obstacles in building more infrastructure. The clearest political action that I can see is making it easier to actually build and removing those obstacles.

[Patrick @pcurran100]

@Versati51739827 @paulmurphy_TD It's one of the main reasons renewables are preferred. My point here is that it's an advantage shared by nuclear energy - if you're focused on decarbonisation then nuclear can help to achieve that goal.

Not really related to the above directly.

[Patrick @pcurran100]

I can imagine a blessed future where Ireland plays a large role in data centre infrastructure, powered by a big beautiful fleet of cheap, clean SMRs

[Patrick @pcurran100]

Fed up of the doomerism around what is objectively a positive move. This brings another option to the table, at a time where that option is becoming increasingly viable. 1/n

[RTÉ News @rtenews]

Ireland needs to make a "once in a generation move" to reverse the ban on nuclear energy, according to the proposer of the change https://t.co/XNG5FVoYCm

[Patrick @pcurran100]

Something people seem to be ignoring is that Ireland's energy requirements could balloon in the coming decades.
Accelerating data centre construction and introducing >2m electric vehicles will not be easy on our grid, and SMRs could be a way of addressing that need.

[Patrick @pcurran100]

The above legislative change only opens up the possibility of nuclear development - if we reach a point in time where it makes sense then we already have the groundwork in place.

To entirely shut off the possibility doesn't seem advantageous, even if you don't think it's currently the best course of action.

And that being said, nuclear is already a pretty good solution, and provides baseload energy unlike renewables. It certainly has its advantages.

[Patrick @pcurran100]

I don't think it's necessarily an either/or - both would be ideal. Opposing a positive change because there was a higher priority change to be made doesn't seem wise to me.

Without question we need an overhaul of our planning system to enable building more renewables, and to invest in our grid infrastructure.

[Patrick @pcurran100]

@eoinmauricedaly @carrigman He has built an entire career on opposing nuclear energy, I would really doubt he is an unbiased voice of reason on this

[Patrick @pcurran100]

@PBresnihan Would like to hear your thoughts though on:
1. why this is particularly harmful or dangerous, and
2. what avenues you think would be better for the wealthy to try to affect positive change?

[Patrick @pcurran100]

@PBresnihan Billionaires control all media and the majority of 'ideas' that get brought before government

Seems far more benevolent (thoughtful research into new ideas) than online or trad media choosing a narrative to relentlessly push without any critical thought or supportive evidence

[Patrick @pcurran100]

@DannyQuark @danobrien20 You have $SMR in your bio
confused by this

[Patrick @pcurran100]

I think data centres are underexplored as a creative medium

[Patrick @pcurran100]

Why don't more datacentres build up? We aren't maximising evil sci-fi futurism aesthetics nearly enough

[Patrick @pcurran100]

Would be interested in hearing about any novel designs that are happening though - we seem to be relatively tied to a particular way of designing them and I wonder if there is scope for reinvention