The Prospects Of Nuclear Power And Technology

This second edition represents an extensive revision of the ?rst edition, - though the motivation for the book and the intended audiences, as described inthepreviouspreface,remainthesame. Theoveralllengthhasbeenincreased substantially, with revised or expanded discussions of a number of topics, - cluding Yucca Mountain repository plans, new reactor designs, health e?ects of radiation, costs of electricity, and dangers from terrorism and weapons p- liferation. The overall status of nuclear power has changed rather little over the past eight years. Nuclear reactor construction remains at a very low ebb in much of the world, with the exception of Asia, while nuclear power’s share of the electricity supply continues to be about 75% in France and 20% in the United States. However,therearesignsofaheightenedinterestinconsideringpossible nuclear growth. In the late 1990s, the U. S. Department of Energy began new programs to stimulate research and planning for future reactors, and many candidate designs are now contending—at least on paper—to be the next generation leaders. Outside the United States, the commercial development ofthePebbleBedModularReactorisbeingpursuedinSouthAfrica,aFrench- German consortium has won an order from Finlandfor the long-plannedEPR (European Pressurized Water Reactor), and new reactors have been built or planned in Asia. In an unanticipated positive development for nuclear energy, the capacity factor of U. S. reactors has increased dramatically in recent years, and most operating reactors now appear headed for 20-year license renewals.

This open access book discusses the eroding economics of nuclear power for electricity generation as well as technical, legal, and political acceptance issues. The use of nuclear power for electricity generation is still a heavily disputed issue. Aside from technical risks, safety issues, and the unsolved problem of nuclear waste disposal, the economic performance is currently a major barrier. In recent years, the costs have skyrocketed especially in the European countries and North America. At the same time, the costs of alternatives such as photovoltaics and wind power have significantly decreased. Contents History and Current Status of the World Nuclear Industry The Dramatic Decrease of the Economics of Nuclear Power Nuclear Policy in the EU The Legacy of Csernobyl and Fukushima Nuclear Waste and Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants Alternatives: Heading Towards Sustainable Electricity Systems Target Groups Researchers and students in the fields of political, economic and technical sciences Energy (policy) experts, nuclear energy experts and practitioners, economists, engineers, consultants, civil society organizations The Editors Prof. Dr. Reinhard Haas is University Professor of energy economics at the Institute of Energy Systems and Electric Drives at Technische Universität Wien, Austria. PD Dr. Lutz Mez is Associate Professor at the Department for Political and Social Sciences of Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. PD Dr. Amela Ajanovic is a senior researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Energy Systems and Electrical Drives at Technische Universität Wien, Austria.--

This third volume in the World Energy Options series (and the second to deal with a specific energy technology) examines nuclear power technology, its advantages, and the constraints which it faces. Although the world energy scene has changed considerably--even since the first volume of this series was published--the fact remains that supplies of conventional fuels are not limitless, and that nuclear power will be a major source of energy as we enter the 21st century. This volume sets out the basic nuclear technologies and the factors that have contributed to policy formation in different parts of the world. Topics covered include the underlying physics, nuclear reactor types, the nuclear fuel cycle, radiation, safety, waste management, decommissioning, and the nuclear policies of major users of nuclear power.

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.

The 1996 Conference focused on topics of environmentally attractive technologies for electricity production-renewables, natural gas, and nuclear energy. Recent technology developments were addressed which include creation of more efficient photovoltaic convert ers for electricity generation; the current and future role of natural gas in meeting global de mand for electric power generation; and the status of nuclear energy, its various applications, and the prospects for its future. The Conference agenda, in light of its global economic im pact, included comparative discussions of all the above alternative energy sources. The re gional choice of energy sources and their impact on the global economy and environment was reviewed. In addition to the above subjects, but strongly connected with the theme of global en ergy needs and security, the Conference program contained one session on new needs and di rections in higher education: new curricula to cover fundamental global issues on energy, resources, and environment.

The authors argue for the continued development of nuclear energy.