Of course, it’s somewhat arbitrary to say that in a grid electricity “comes from” a certain source. Only the bills can say that. And its only global decarbonisation that really matters. But in a war the world has been losing we need some symbolic breakthroughs and this is one. We don’t yet know what will power the cars and lorries of the future (electricity, hydrogen, solar-generated biofuels?) but carbon-free electric rail is the only way for rail and the sooner it happens worldwide the better. So, how come the reticence about trumpeting nuclear rail? Don't write – we all know the answer.
One of the biggest stories of the New Year was hidden in a small item tucked away on an inside page of the Guardian. Network Rail in the UK has signed a 10 year deal to get all its electricity from nuclear power supplied by EDF. Couple that with the current investment plan that aims to have 75% of UK trains electric over around the same period and we have a jump in the necessary decarbonisation of transport.
Of course, it’s somewhat arbitrary to say that in a grid electricity “comes from” a certain source. Only the bills can say that. And its only global decarbonisation that really matters. But in a war the world has been losing we need some symbolic breakthroughs and this is one. We don’t yet know what will power the cars and lorries of the future (electricity, hydrogen, solar-generated biofuels?) but carbon-free electric rail is the only way for rail and the sooner it happens worldwide the better. So, how come the reticence about trumpeting nuclear rail? Don't write – we all know the answer. Comments are closed.
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AuthorI'm a writer whose interests include the biological revolution happening now, the relationship between art and science, jazz, and the state of the planet Archives
March 2016
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