New Ways and Needs for Exploiting Nuclear Energy
New Ways and Needs for Exploiting Nuclear Energy

Author: Didier Sornette

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2018-09-29

Total Pages: 287

ISBN-13: 3319976524

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The history of mankind is a story of ascent to unprecedented levels of comfort, productivity and consumption, enabled by the increased mastery of the basic reserves and flows of energy. This miraculous trajectory is confronted by the consensus that anthropogenic emissions are harmful and must decrease, requiring de-carbonization of the energy system. The mature field of indicator-based sustainability assessment provides a rigorous systematic framework to balance the pros and cons of the various existing energy technologies using lifecycle assessments and weighting criteria covering the environment, economy, and society, as the three pillars of sustainability. In such a framework, nuclear power is ranked favorably, but since emphasis is often placed on radioactive wastes and risk aversion, renewables are usually ranked top. However, quantifying the severity of the consequences of nuclear accidents on a rough integral cost basis and balancing severity with low core-damage accident probabilities indicates that the average external cost of such accidents is similar to that of modern renewables, and far less than carbon-based energy. This book formulates the overall goal and associated unprecedented demanding criteria of taming nuclear risks by excluding mechanisms that lead to serious accidents and avoiding extremely long stewardship times as far as possible, by design. It reviews the key design features of nuclear power generation, paving the way for the exploration of radically new combinations of technologies to come up with “revolutionary” or even “exotic” system designs. The book also provides scores for the selected designs and discusses the high potential for far-reaching improvements, with small modular lines of the best versions as being most attractive. Given the ambition and challenges, the authors call for an urgent increase in funding of at least two orders of magnitude for a broad international civilian “super-Apollo” program on nuclear energy systems. Experience indicates that such investments in fundamental technologies enable otherwise unattainable revolutionary innovations with massive beneficial spillovers to the private sector and the public for the next generations.

Nuclear Energy Now
Nuclear Energy Now

Author: Alan M. Herbst

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2007-06-15

Total Pages: 258

ISBN-13: 0470129921

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A timely and thought-provoking solution to the world's energy shortfall The dramatic increases in oil and natural gas prices, the finite supply of fossil fuels, and concerns over emissions and global warming are forcing us to consider alternatives. In this measured and knowledgeable book, energy experts Alan Herbst and George Hopley argue that the time has come for the U.S. to revitalize its nuclear generation assets in order to successfully meet growing domestic electricity requirements and lessen our dependence on foreign sources of energy. Nuclear Energy Now provides an informed look at the benefits and drawbacks associated with this controversial alternative to traditional energy sources. It opens with a brief overview of commercial nuclear development in the U.S. during the past half-century and moves on to discuss what the future may hold if new initiatives-supported by the Energy Policy Act of 2005-gain traction. Along the way, readers will find informed insights into why the need for nuclear power has become so critical and how we can safely add capacity in the coming years. Exploring all of the issues related to developing America's nuclear energy capabilities safely and cost-effectively, Nuclear Energy Now is a must-read for anyone concerned about our oil dependency, the environment, and future of the nation.

Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy

Author: David Bodansky

Publisher: Springer Science & Business Media

Published: 2007-06-25

Total Pages: 701

ISBN-13: 0387269312

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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.

Nuclear Power
Nuclear Power

Author: Darryl Siemer

Publisher: John Wiley & Sons

Published: 2019-09-20

Total Pages: 286

ISBN-13: 1119657873

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As the world’s energy sources continue to develop, with less reliance on traditional fossil fuels and more reliance on cleaner, more efficient, alternative energy sources, nuclear power continues to be a dividing point for many people. Some believe it is the answer to our energy problems for the future, while others warn of the risks. Written by a retired scientist who spent most of his career at the Idaho National Laboratory (INL), this book aims to delve into the issues surrounding nuclear power and dispel its myths, while building an argument for why the United States should develop a nuclear power plan for the future. As a “whistleblower,” the author spent much of the last ten years of his career at the INL raising concerns about how its mission of serving as the Department of Energy’s lead laboratory in radioactive waste management was not being properly managed. While the United States continues to tread water on the issue of nuclear energy, the author believes that a nuclear “renaissance” is not only possible but is necessary for meeting the world’s growing demand for energy, especially clean energy. With fossil fuels slowly dying out and renewable energy sources not able to handle the demand for a continuously growing energy-consuming public, nuclear is an obvious solution. This book is a must-have for any engineer working in nuclear power, students hoping to go into that industry, and other engineers and scientists interested in the subject. This book is both “technical” and “political” because they’re equally important in determining what actually happens in institutions dealing with technical problems.

Nuclear Power and Sustainable Development
Nuclear Power and Sustainable Development

Author: International Atomic Energy Agency

Publisher:

Published: 2016

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9789201070166

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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.

Why We Need Nuclear Power
Why We Need Nuclear Power

Author: Michael H. Fox

Publisher: Oxford University Press

Published: 2014-05

Total Pages: 322

ISBN-13: 0199344574

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"Makes a case for nuclear energy as a clean-energy solution."--

The Technological and Economic Future of Nuclear Power
The Technological and Economic Future of Nuclear Power

Author: Reinhard Haas

Publisher: Springer

Published: 2019-04-26

Total Pages: 382

ISBN-13: 3658259876

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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.

Nuclear Power, Renewable Resurgence and Energy Retailing
Nuclear Power, Renewable Resurgence and Energy Retailing

Author: Dipankar Dey

Publisher:

Published: 2015

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13:

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Arguments in favor of nuclear power have been revived in recent years especially in emerging economies like India. The proponents of the nuclear power have put three arguments to justify their demand. These are: (a) Nuclear energy is safer today due to induction of better and safer technology. (b) Nuclear is a better energy option for mitigation of carbon emission and global warming. (c) India needs nuclear energy to sustain its projected rate of economic growth. The paper is divided into three sections. The first section focuses on the above three issues. As volumes of research reports, articles; commentaries have been published already to address the first issue, here, a broad overview of these recent reports would be presented, in brief. The second section begins with a brief discussion on the alternative energy initiatives taken in different countries of the world, especially in Europe. Further, the alternative energy options still open to India but not yet considered by the energy planners of the country would be explored. The third section of the paper analyses the emerging trends of energy supplies and the possibility of developing a new decentralized energy model, with active involvement of consumers/citizens and civil society organizations (CSOs). Few important questions which have emerged out of this discussion: (i) Why has the State aligned itself with the nuclear establishment without exploiting the renewable sources, knowing fully well about the adverse consequences of nuclear power? Could this collaboration be sustained in the long run? (ii) Is there any supply push factor along with the demand pull factor behind the resurgence of renewable energy? Could this be an outcome of a new strategic move by the major energy utilities to manage the energy system of 21st century in a different way? Possible answers to these questions have been sought in the last section of this paper.

Innovation in Nuclear Energy Technology
Innovation in Nuclear Energy Technology

Author:

Publisher: OECD Publishing

Published: 2007

Total Pages: 128

ISBN-13:

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Innovation has been a driving force in the successful deployment of nuclear energy and remains essential today for its sustainable future. This report provides an overview of the state of the art in nuclear innovation systems, including their driving forces, main actors, institutional and legal frameworks, and infrastructure for knowledge and programme management. It also offers policy recommendations based on country reports and case studies supplied by participating member countries.

Commercial Nuclear Power
Commercial Nuclear Power

Author: Charles B. Ramsey

Publisher:

Published: 2006-03-28

Total Pages: 0

ISBN-13: 9781419649790

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This book provides everything we need to understand nuclear power. Written in easy-to-follow prose, it frankly describes the role that nuclear power could and should play in meeting our electrical energy needs. It disambiguates nuclear controversy from all sides of the nuclear debate and discusses the potential of energy production from other available fuels. It authenticates the energy policy decisions that each nation must make to address reaching the peak of oil supplies, while effectively dealing with societys' increasing energy consumption needs and associated environmental consequences. The authors are very astute at explaining the complexity of nuclear issues and reducing them to general terms for reader comprehension. They examine nuclear plant operations and the potential for accidents, dissect how nuclear accidents have occurred and outline how such events can be avoided in the future. They are well versed in the special problems of nuclear engineering and use their experience and expertise to show us how nuclear energy can be produced safely. They provide the necessary background to really grasp a clear perspective of the potential of nuclear energy and the vital elements of nuclear safety systems that prevent accidents. They discuss radioactive elements, including their decay properties and provide good background information on the basic physics involved in actual practice.