Showing papers on "Nuclear power published in 2018"

The World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2018

Abstract: Paris, London, 4 September 2018. Nuclear power plants added a total of 7-gigawatt (GW) capacity to the world’s electricity grids in 2017 and the first half of 2018, a tiny fraction of the total from all sources, which is estimated at some 257 GW (net) in 2017, including 157 GW of renewable capacity (the largest increase ever). Over that 18-month period, six reactors started up in China, two in Russia and one in Pakistan. For the third year in a row, excluding China, global nuclear power generation has declined, finds the World Nuclear Industry Status Report 2018 (WNISR2018).

Analyzing the threat of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) to nuclear facilities

Abstract: Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV) are among the major growing technologies that have many beneficial applications, yet they can also pose a significant threat. Recently, several incidents occurred with UAVs violating privacy of the public and security of sensitive facilities, including several nuclear power plants in France. The threat of UAVs to the security of nuclear facilities is of great importance and is the focus of this work. This paper presents an overview of UAV technology and classification, as well as its applications and potential threats. We show several examples of recent security incidents involving UAVs in France, USA, and United Arab Emirates. Further, the potential threats to nuclear facilities and measures to prevent them are evaluated. The importance of measures for detection, delay, and response (neutralization) of UAVs at nuclear facilities are discussed. An overview of existing technologies along with their strength and weaknesses are shown. Finally, the results of a gap analysis in existing approaches and technologies is presented in the form of potential technological and procedural areas for research and development. Based on this analysis, directions for future work in the field can be devised and prioritized.

A meta-frontier DEA approach to efficiency comparison of carbon reduction technologies on project level

Abstract: Carbon reduction technologies such as renewable energy, nuclear energy and CCS technology for the power industry play a significant role in achieving low-carbon development goals. This research employed a meta-frontier DEA approach to evaluate carbon reduction efficiency of technologies on project level. The sample consists of several groups of projects such as nuclear energy, hydro-electric energy, wind energy, solar energy and biomass energy and CCS technology in power plants. The comparison study takes consideration the carbon reduction efficiency gap and management level of different technologies for the power industry. The results reveal that 1) Biomass energy power plants and conventional power plants installed with CCS have the highest efficiency in carbon reduction efficiency, with potential improvement in management. 2) Nuclear power plants show a high efficiency in carbon reduction while facing some constraints from safety and stability issues. 3) Although wind power, hydro-electric power and solar power have been exploited in power generation for a long time, they still have low efficiency in reducing carbon emission from the power industry. Suggestions are provided for policy makers to choose appropriate low-carbon development route of the power industry.

Comparative Analysis of Public Attitudes toward Nuclear Power Energy across 27 European Countries by Applying the Multilevel Model

Abstract: Despite its potential risks, nuclear power energy offers some economic benefits including cheap electricity. This benefit clarifies part of the reason why people support nuclear energy. Our research examined whether there was a difference in the acceptance of nuclear energy across 27 European countries in 2009, before the Fukushima accident. In particular, we analyzed how each factor at the individual and contextual level influences the acceptance. To answer this question, we set up the acceptance of nuclear energy as a dependent variable, and 5 perception variables at the individual level and 11 structural ones at the contextual level as independent variables. We executed multilevel modeling by using a Eurobarometer survey, which covered 27 European countries. The analysis results showed that at the individual level, the perceived benefit explained the largest variance of the acceptance, followed by perceived risk and trust. At the contextual level, the share of the energy supply by nuclear power, environmentalism and ideology influenced the acceptance of nuclear energy. This study shows that individuals’ acceptance of nuclear energy is based on individual beliefs and perceptions, but it is also influenced by the institutional and socio-cultural context which each country faces.

Radiation imaging using a compact Compton camera inside the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station building

Abstract: The Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Station (FDNPS), operated by Tokyo Electric Power Company Holdings, Inc., went into meltdown in the aftermath of a large tsunami caused by the Great East Japan E...

US nuclear power: The vanishing low-carbon wedge

Abstract: Nuclear power holds the potential to make a significant contribution to decarbonizing the US energy system. Whether it could do so in its current form is a critical question: Existing large light water reactors in the United States are under economic pressure from low natural gas prices, and some have already closed. Moreover, because of their great cost and complexity, it appears most unlikely that any new large plants will be built over the next several decades. While advanced reactor designs are sometimes held up as a potential solution to nuclear power’s challenges, our assessment of the advanced fission enterprise suggests that no US design will be commercialized before midcentury. That leaves factory-manufactured, light water small modular reactors (SMRs) as the only option that might be deployed at significant scale in the climate-critical period of the next several decades. We have systematically investigated how a domestic market could develop to support that industry over the next several decades and, in the absence of a dramatic change in the policy environment, have been unable to make a convincing case. Achieving deep decarbonization of the energy system will require a portfolio of every available technology and strategy we can muster. It should be a source of profound concern for all who care about climate change that, for entirely predictable and resolvable reasons, the United States appears set to virtually lose nuclear power, and thus a wedge of reliable and low-carbon energy, over the next few decades.

Nitride fuel for Gen IV nuclear power systems

Abstract: Nuclear energy has been a part of the energy mix in many countries for decades. Today in principle all power producing reactors use the same techniqe. Either PWR or BWR fuelled with oxide fuels. This choice of fuel is not self evident and today there are suggestions to change to fuels which may be safer and more economical and also used in e.g. Gen IV nuclear power systems. One such fuel type is the nitrides. The nitrides have a better thermal conductivity than the oxides and a similar melting point and are thus have larger safety margins to melting during operation. In addition they are between 30 and 40% more dense with respect to fissile material. Drawbacks include instability with respect to water and a sometimes complicated fabrication route. The former is not really an issue with Gen IV systems but for use in the present fleet. In this paper we discuss both production and recycling potential of nitride fuels.

Renewables 2018 global status report. A comprehensive annual overview of the state of renewable energy.

Abstract: Positive developments show that the renewable energy transition is possible, but advances so far are uneven across sectors. The year 2017 was another record-breaking one for renewable energy, characterised by the largest ever increase in renewable power capacity, falling costs, increases in investment and advances in enabling technologies. Many developments during the year impacted the deployment of renewable energy, including the lowest-ever bids for renewable power in tenders throughout the world, a significant increase in attention to electrification of transport, increasing digitalisation, jurisdictions pledging to become coal-free, new policies and partnerships on carbon pricing, and new initiatives and goals set by groups of governments at all levels. As of 2016, renewable energy accounted for an estimated 18.2% of global total final energy consumption, with modern renewables representing 10.4%. The number of countries with renewable energy targets and support policies increased again in 2017, and several jurisdictions made their existing targets more ambitious. Strong growth continued in the renewable power sector, while other renewable sectors grew very slowly. Solar photovoltaic (PV) capacity installations were remarkable – nearly double those of wind power (in second place) – adding more net capacity than coal, natural gas and nuclear power combined. In the transport sector, the use of biofuels is still held back by sustainability debates, policy uncertainty and slow technological progress in advanced fuels, such as for aviation. Similarly, renewable heating and cooling continues to lag behind. Both sectors receive much less attention from policy makers than does renewable power generation. However, lack of policy attention does not reflect relative importance, as heating and cooling account for 48% of final energy use, transport for 32% and electricity for 20%. The interconnection of power, heating and cooling, and transport in order to integrate higher shares of renewable energy gained increased attention during the year, in particular the electrification of both heating and transport.

The Prospective of Nuclear Power in China

Abstract: From scratch to current stage, China’s nuclear power technology has experienced rapid development, and now China has begun to export nuclear power technology. As a kind of highly efficient and clean energy source, nuclear energy is also a priority option to solve energy crisis, replace traditional fossil fuels and reduce air pollution. By analyzing the short-term and long-term development trend of nuclear power in China, the paper has reached the following conclusions: (1) Under the current situation of excess supply, due to high investment cost of first-kind reactors, the decline of utilization hours and the additional cost of ancillary service obligations, the levelized cost of energy (LCOE) of the third generation nuclear power will significantly increase, and the internal rate of return (IRR) will significantly fall. In the short term, market competitiveness of nuclear power will be a major problem, which affects investment enthusiasm. (2) With technology learning of third generation technology, the LCOE of nuclear power will be competitive with that of coal power in 2030. (3) The CO2 emissions reduction potential of nuclear power is greater than coal power with CCS and the avoided CO2 costs of nuclear power is much lower. Therefore, nuclear power is an important option for China’s long-term low-carbon energy system transition. The paper proposes to subsidize the technical learning costs of new technology through clean technology fund at the early commercialization stage. When designing power market rules, the technical characteristics of nuclear power should be fully considered to ensure efficient operation of nuclear power.

The Politics of Energy and Climate Change in Japan under Abe: Abenergynomics

Abstract: Under what we call Abenergynomics, Japanese Prime Minister Abe Shinzō has used energy policy to support the growth objectives of Abenomics, even when the associated policies are publicly unpopular, opposed by utility companies, or harmful to the environment. We show how Abenergynomics has shaped Japanese policy on nuclear power, electricity deregulation, renewable energy, and climate change.

Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century

Abstract: Foreword by Dr Patrick Moore Introduction 1 Energy use 11 Sources of energy 12 Sustainability of energy 13 Energy demand 14 Energy supply 15 Changes in energy demand and supply 16 Future energy demand and supply 2 Electricity today and tomorrow 21 Electricity demand 22 Electricity supply 23 Fuels for electricity generation today 24 Provision for future base-load electricity 25 Renewable energy sources 26 Coal and uranium compared 27 Energy inputs to generate electricity 28 Economic factors 3 Nuclear power and its fuels 31 Mass to energy in the reactor core 32 Nuclear power reactors - basic design and function Panel: Components common to most types of nuclear reactors 33 Uranium availability 34 Nuclear weapons as a source of fuel 35 Thorium as a nuclear fuel 36 Accelerator-driven systems 37 Physics of a nuclear reactor 4 Types of nuclear power reactor 41 Today's power reactors 42 Advanced power reactors 43 Floating nuclear power plant 44 Modular light water reactors 45 High temperature reactors 46 Fast neutron reactors 47 Very small nuclear power reactors 5 The 'front end' of the nuclear fuel cycle 51 Mining and milling of uranium ore 52 The nuclear fuel cycle Panel: Uranium enrichment 53 Thorium cycle 6 The 'back end' of the nuclear fuel cycle 61 Nuclear 'wastes' 62 Reprocessing used fuel 63 High-level wastes from reprocessing Panel: Transporting radioactive materials 64 Storage and disposal of high-level wastes 65 Decommissioning nuclear reactors 7 Other nuclear energy applications 71 Transport 72 Hydrogen production and use 73 Process heat 74 Desalination 75 Marine propulsion 76 Radioisotope systems and reactors for space 77 Research reactors, making radioisotopes 8 Environment, health and safety 81 Greenhouse gas emissions 82 Other environmental effects 83 Health effects of power generation 84 Radiation exposure 85 Reactor safety 9 Avoiding weapons proliferation 91 International cooperation to achieve security 92 International nuclear safeguards 93 Fissile materials 94 Recycling military uranium and plutonium for electricity 95 Australian and Canadian nuclear safeguards policies 10 History of nuclear energy 101 Exploring the nature of the atom 102 Harnessing nuclear fission 103 Nuclear physics in Russia 104 Conceiving the atomic bomb 105 Developing the concepts: bomb and boiler 106 The Manhattan Project 107 The Soviet bomb 108 Revival of the 'nuclear boiler' 109 Nuclear energy goes commercial 1010 The nuclear power renaissance Appendices: 1 Ionising radiation and how it is measured 2 Some radioactive decay series 3 Environmental and ethical aspects of radioactive waste management 4 Some useful references Glossary Index

The Future of Power System Restoration: Using Distributed Energy Resources as a Force to Get Back Online

Abstract: One of the most critical risks for modern societies is a largescale power system blackout. Critical infrastructure has emergency power supplies (e.g., nuclear power plants, hospitals, or communication infrastructure) to confront power outage situations. However, after about 8 h of a blackout, fuel supplies and battery capacities normally run out. Thus, it is of utmost importance to restore the power system as robustly and quickly as possible. This responsibility lies with the transmission system operators (TS Os), and it is in their best interest to rapidly accomplish it.

Technical and social problems of nuclear waste

Abstract: Despite decades of effort, the nuclear industry does not yet have a working solution for managing spent fuel and high level waste, the most radioactive products generated by nuclear power plants. Although many scientific and technical bodies have endorsed geological disposal as the preferred solution to this problem, there remain significant uncertainties about the long‐term performance of repositories and behavior of the nuclear wastes to be stored in these facilities. Apart from a minority of countries, most countries have not chosen any sites for a repository. Further concerns about the long‐term safety of repositories arise from the experiences of failures and accidents at pilot facilities. One reason for the absence of operating repositories decades after they were first proposed is widespread public opposition to such facilities. Polls have revealed that substantial majorities of people consider nuclear waste with dread and do not approve plans to dispose of radioactive wastes near them, or, often, far away either. Nuclear power advocates have typically dismissed public concerns as resulting from a lack of understanding of scientific facts but this explanation does not withstand scrutiny. Technical approaches to dealing with nuclear waste, such as reprocessing of spent fuel, mischaracterize the social concerns and therefore do not help gain public acceptance. Concern about radioactive waste has contributed to the failure of the propaganda effort by the nuclear industry to market nuclear power as a solution to climate change. The absence of a solution to waste negatively affects the future expansion of nuclear energy. This article is categorized under: Nuclear Power > Climate and Environment Nuclear Power > Economics and Policy Nuclear Power > Science and Materials

Comparison of Greenhouse Gas Reduction Potential through Renewable Energy Transition in South Korea and Germany

Abstract: Germany and South Korea are the world’s sixth and seventh largest emitters of greenhouse gases, respectively; their main sources of pollution being fossil-fueled power plants. Since both countries signed the Paris Agreement in 2016, renewable energy transition is emerging as an effective means and method for avoiding air pollutant emissions and for replacing old fossil-fueled power plants. This paper attempts to evaluate—by using a grid emission factor dependent on a series of energy mix scenarios—the potential for South Korea and Germany to reduce their air pollutants (CO2, NOx, SOx, PM (particulate matter)) until 2030. South Korea plans to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by increasing nuclear power, while Germany aims to do so by shutting down its nuclear power plants and expanding the proportion of renewable energy in the energy mix to over 50%. Therefore, both countries are able to achieve their voluntary greenhouse gas reduction targets in the power sector. However, since the uncertainty of the CO2 emission factor of coal power plants in South Korea is as high as 10%, efforts to reduce that uncertainty are required in order to produce a reliable assessment of the avoided emissions.