Prospects And Strategies For Nuclear Power

Examining the global strategic energy issues raised by the use of nuclear power, this study argues that uncertainties about future electricity needs and constraints make the option of nuclear power a clear necessity. However, the author points out the problems posed by existing stockpiles of waste and plutonium, as well as the dismantling of old power stations, and states that a new generation of technologies must be produced to reduce these problems.

This publication discusses issues related to the financing of nuclear power plants once a decision has been made to introduce nuclear power as part of the national energy portfolio. The focuses in issues of government commitment, technology, capital cost, return on investment, physical infrastructure, fuel supply, spent fuel and waste management, and decommissioning. It emphasizes that a credible, practical, and substantiated strategy is important from initial nuclear power project development to operation and decommissioning. The target audience for this publication is decision makers, advisers, senior managers and economists in government as well as investors, utilities, industrial organisations and regulatory bodies in countries intending to build a nuclear power plant for the first time. It would also be of interest to those who are either seeking to make a significant increase in nuclear power from a small but already existing base, or those who are restarting a dormant programme.

Market: Scientists in nuclear engineering, engineering students, and government policy makers with technical backgrounds. This book presents an objective view of nuclear energy as an important source for future energy needs. It discusses various types of reactors, the nuclear fuel cycle, the problem of nuclear waste disposal, reactor accidents, safety and new types of reactors that are being considered, and the cost of electricity from nuclear power. Additional themes include the problem of nuclear weapons, their storage, and, very important, their disposal as nuclear arsenals are pared down.

Transforming the energy system is at the core of the dedicated sustainable development goal on energy within the new United Nations development agenda. This publication explores the possible contribution of nuclear energy to addressing the issues of sustainable development through a large selection of indicators. It reviews the characteristics of nuclear power in comparison with alternative sources of electricity supply, according to economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainability. The findings summarized in this publication will help the reader to consider, or reconsider, the contribution that can be made by the development and operation of nuclear power plants in contributing to more sustainable energy systems.