Book contents
- Transitioning to a Prosperous, Resilient and Carbon-Free Economy
- Transitioning to a Prosperous, Resilient and Carbon-Free Economy
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Foreword
- Introduction
- 1 Policy Frameworks and Institutions for Decarbonisation: The Energy Sector as ‘Litmus Test’
- Technologies for Decarbonising the Electricity Sector
- 2 Wind Energy
- 3 Solar Photovoltaics
- 4 Solar Thermal Energy
- 5 Nuclear Energy
- 6 Hydropower
- 7 Energy Storage
- 8 The Hydrogen Economy
- Example Economies
- Cities and Industry
- Land Use, Forests and Agriculture
- Mining, Metals, Oil and Gas
- Addressing Barriers io Change
- Index
- References
5 - Nuclear Energy
from Technologies for Decarbonising the Electricity Sector
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 08 October 2021
Book contents
- Transitioning to a Prosperous, Resilient and Carbon-Free Economy
- Transitioning to a Prosperous, Resilient and Carbon-Free Economy
- Copyright page
- Dedication
- Contents
- Figures
- Tables
- Contributors
- Foreword
- Introduction
- 1 Policy Frameworks and Institutions for Decarbonisation: The Energy Sector as ‘Litmus Test’
- Technologies for Decarbonising the Electricity Sector
- 2 Wind Energy
- 3 Solar Photovoltaics
- 4 Solar Thermal Energy
- 5 Nuclear Energy
- 6 Hydropower
- 7 Energy Storage
- 8 The Hydrogen Economy
- Example Economies
- Cities and Industry
- Land Use, Forests and Agriculture
- Mining, Metals, Oil and Gas
- Addressing Barriers io Change
- Index
- References
Summary
Nuclear power is a proven low greenhouse emission technology for electricity production that directly substitutes for fossil fuels. The current status of nuclear power worldwide is reviewed. Nuclear technology is described, beginning with an overview of the nuclear fuel cycle and the basic science of fission and energy production. The technology of nuclear fuel production, including enrichment, is outlined. Reactor technology alternatives are discussed in terms of both the current world fleet of reactor types and the future Generation IV technology to be deployed beyond 2030. The current status of small modular reactors (SMRs) under development is reviewed. SMRs are suitable for small countries or remote sites and have smaller up-front construction costs. The thorium cycle is seen as a potential technology for deployment towards the end of the century. Strategies for nuclear waste management and reactor decommissioning are described. Government, legal, regulatory and managerial support is needed to comply with internationally accepted safety standards, security guidelines and safeguards requirements. An independent nuclear regulatory organisation is essential.
Keywords
Information
- Type
- Chapter
- Information
- Transitioning to a Prosperous, Resilient and Carbon-Free EconomyA Guide for Decision-Makers, pp. 105 - 124Publisher: Cambridge University PressPrint publication year: 2021
References
Bodansky, D. (2005). Nuclear Energy: Principles, Practices, and Prospects, 2nd ed. New York: Springer-Verlag.Google Scholar
Chen, F. F. (2011). An Indispensable Truth: How Fusion Power Can Save the Planet. New York: Springer-Verlag.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Cook, I., Miller, R. L. and Ward, D. J. (2002). Prospects for economic fusion electricity. Fusion Engineering and Design, 63–64, 25–33.CrossRefGoogle Scholar
Gen IV (Generation IV International Forum) (2002). A Technology Roadmap for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems. Issued by the US DOE Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee and the Generation IV International Forum. GIF-002-00. Available at: www.gen-4.org/gif/upload/docs/application/pdf/2013-09/gif_rd_outlook_for_generation_iv_nuclear_energy_systems.pdf.Google Scholar
Government of South Australia (2016). Nuclear Fuel Cycle Royal Commission Report. Adelaide: Government of South Australia. Available at: http://nuclearrc.sa.gov.au/media-centre/nuclear-fuel-cycle-royal-commission-report-delivered/.Google Scholar
Hitachi (n.d.). PRISM. Nuclear Power Plants GE Hitachi. Available at: https://nuclear.gepower.com/build-a-plant/products/nuclear-power-plants-overview/prism1.Google Scholar
IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) (n.d.a) International project on innovative nuclear reactors and fuel cycles (INPRO). IAEA.org. Available at: www.iaea.org/services/key-programmes/international-project-on-innovative-nuclear-reactors-and-fuel-cycles-inpro.Google Scholar
IAEA (n.d.b). Small modular reactors. IAEA.org. Available at: www.iaea.org/topics/small-modular-reactors.Google Scholar
IAEA (1991). Safety Culture: A Report by the International Nuclear Safety Advisory Group. INSAG Series No. 4. International Atomic Energy Agency. Available at: www.iaea.org/publications/3753/safety-culture.Google Scholar
IAEA (2005). Thorium Fuel Cycle: Potential Benefits and Challenges. IAEA Tecdoc 1450. International Atomic Energy Agency. Available at: www.iaea.org/publications/7192/thorium-fuel-cycle-potential-benefits-and-challenges.Google Scholar
IAEA (2006). Fundamental Safety Principles. IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SF-1. International Atomic Energy Agency. Available at: www.iaea.org/publications/7592/fundamental-safety-principles.Google Scholar
IAEA (2007). Milestones in the Development of a National Infrastructure for Nuclear Power. IAEA Nuclear Energy Series NG-G-3.1. International Atomic Energy Agency. Available at: www.iaea.org/publications/7812/milestones-in-the-development-of-a-national-infrastructure-for-nuclear-power.Google Scholar
IAEA (2011). Geological Disposal Facilities for Radioactive Waste: Specific Safety Guide. IAEA Safety Standards Series No. SSG-14. International Atomic Energy Agency. Available at: www.iaea.org/publications/8535/geological-disposal-facilities-for-radioactive-waste.Google Scholar
IAEA (2016). Nuclear Power Reactors in the World: 2016 Edition. Reference Data Series No. 2. International Atomic Energy Agency. Available at: www.iaea.org/publications/11079/nuclear-power-reactors-in-the-world.Google Scholar
IEA (International Energy Agency) (2016). CO2 Emissions from Fuel Combustion: Highlights. Paris: International Energy Agency. Available at: https://emis.vito.be/sites/emis.vito.be/files/articles/3331/2016/CO2EmissionsfromFuelCombustion_Highlights_2016.pdf.Google Scholar
Till, C. E. and Chang, Y. I. (2011). Plentiful Energy: The Story of the Integral Fast Reactor. Charles E. Till and Yoon Il Chang.Google Scholar
US NRC (Nuclear Regulatory Commission) (n.d.). Pressurized water reactors. U.S. NRC. Available at: www.nrc.gov/reactors/pwrs.html.Google Scholar
WNA (World Nuclear Association) (n.d.). Information library. World Nuclear Association. Available at: www.world-nuclear.org/information-library.aspx.Google Scholar
WNA (2017). Nuclear fuel cycle overview. World Nuclear Association. Available at: www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/Introduction/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle-Overview/.Google Scholar
WNA (2018). Processing of used nuclear fuel. World Nuclear Association. Available at: www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/fuel-recycling/processing-of-used-nuclear-fuel.aspx.Google Scholar
WNA (2020). Decommissioning nuclear facilities. World Nuclear Association. Available at: www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/nuclear-wastes/decommissioning-nuclear-facilities.aspx.Google Scholar
Accessibility standard: Unknown
Why this information is here
This section outlines the accessibility features of this content - including support for screen readers, full keyboard navigation and high-contrast display options. This may not be relevant for you.Accessibility Information
Accessibility compliance for the HTML of this chapter is currently unknown
and may be updated in the future.