Definition
Basic
Nuclear energy originates from the splitting of uranium atoms in a process called nuclear fission. Nuclear fission is a process of splitting heavy atoms of uranium. At the power plant, the fission process is used to generate heat for producing steam, which is used by a turbine to generate electricity.
History
Origin
The discovery of nuclear fission goes back to the 1930’s when the first experiments and research were carried out by scientists in Italy and Germany. Many scientists were forced to flee Europe before the World War II and as a result of this the centre of research moved to the U.S. where the experiments continued. The key step in the process was the discovery of critical mass (amount of fuel needed for a chain reaction). In 1942 in Chicago team of scientists managed to develop the first self sustaining chain reaction and the theory of nuclear energy became a technical reality.
The World War II obviously determined the focus of research and it was not until 1950’s that private companies started to see the potential of nuclear energy for commercial use. 1960’s marked the history of nuclear energy as a shift from primary a weapon to a way of generating electricity. The commercial use of nuclear energy was expanding until 1970’s and 1980’s when issues about safety and environment arose. However, the 1990’s and 2000’s meant another phase of growth for nuclear industry and to this stage it is often referred as the nuclear renaissance.
Popular Use
The commercial use and other ways of peaceful application of nuclear energy go back to the 1960’s when the first reactors were build in the U.S. and Western Europe and became attractive for companies operating in energy industry. Apart from electricity generation nuclear energy is also used in other sectors, such as archaeology, medicine or food industry.
Money Involved
Investments
Typical for nuclear energy are low operational costs, high capital costs, insensitivity to fuel prices and long operational life. Until late 1990’s the sector nuclear energy was in decline and not interesting for investors, however since 2000 nuclear energy is becoming financially interesting again, especially as many governments are willing to provide loans to energy companies (e.g. USA).
The major rise in nuclear power is predicted for developing countries as the demand for energy is likely to rise. The demand in the developed world is also likely to rise as well as because nuclear energy may pose an option to decrease carbon emissions from electricity generation. This along with high energy prices and growing demand for energy in developing world will most likely make nuclear energy more attractive. However, many countries are choosing to become nuclear free (e.g.Italy and prospectively Germany).
Use
Primary
Apart from defense reasons nuclear energy is mainly used for electricity generation and medical reasons. Today, nuclear power counts for % of the global electricity production and is predicted to grow mainly in the developing countries as a result of high energy prices and growing demand for energy.
Production
Step 1 - Construction
Nuclear power plants are basically thermal plants and they work in a similar way to other power plants apart from the fact that do not burn coal, oil or gas to create the heat – they use heat from nuclear fission to move the turbines and generate electricity. The main difference between nuclear power plants is type of reactor.
There are several types of nuclear reactors that differ in many features – type of fuel, type of coolant, steam generation and type of moderator. Different types of reactor have also different efficiency. Most nuclear power plants on line in the world today use light water reactors. Also with rapid progress of technology nuclear power plants managed to increase the energy output.
Step 2 - Transportation
The main issue concerning transportation is tied to the fuel cycle, either to the power plant and or the shipment of spent fuel from the power plant or better, the front end and the back end. The process of transportation of fuels to power plant involves transporting the fuel assemblies (consisting of fuel rods containing fuel pellets) and loading them into the reactor.
Transportation of spent fuels is a more problematic issue. Used fuels is usually transported in special containers by trains or trucks to a repository or other facility. These containers consist of fuels assembly, neutron shield, steel-lead-steel shell and impact absorber cap. Also transportation is the main source of emissions from otherwise almost carbon dioxide free nuclear energy.
Step 3 - Distribution
There are no major issues related to distribution of electricity generated from nuclear power plants. Nuclear power plants are connected to normal large integrated grids prevailing in Europe and the U.S. and in most countries they work 24 hours ensuring stable and constant supply to the grid.
Challenges
Competitiveness
The main problem of nuclear power is the high initial investment, which makes the costs of a nuclear plant quite high, however, the produced electricity is fully competitive, even lower than other types of energy. In general, the initial investment in construction of a nuclear power plant is very high, usually not financially viable without government support.
Safety
Safety of nuclear power plants is a major issue comparing to other sources of electricity generation. Nuclear plants have to regularly carry out stress tests and safety systems ensure that reactors shut down in case anything irregular should happen. The issue of safety has lead many countries to decide to shut down their nuclear power plants. Also, nuclear power plants have better safety record than other sectors of energy industry. Another problem is the nuclear waste and its storage.
Nuclear waste is mostly stored on the site of power plants, but most countries seek for more permanent solution – nuclear repositories that would keep the waste safe. Also, there is a problem related to enrichment of uranium and the risk of proliferation of nuclear weapons.
Possibilities
Nuclear energy has very good record when it comes to carbon dioxide production, but keeping in mind the needs for transportation of fuel, mining of uranium etc. nuclear energy is not completely carbon dioxide free, but is very close to this status. Also, another advantage of nuclear power is the small amount of relatively small amount of waste. However, the problem of waste disposal has not been solved yet completely.
Low Cost
Despite the high initial investment requirements, nuclear power plants can be operated at very low costs and can be efficiently connected to general integrated grid used in the EU and the U.S nowadays, therefore offering electricity at fully competitive and even lower prices than other types of fuels
Key Countries
Top 5 producers globally
(2010, in kilowatt hour – TWh)
1. United States –838
2. France– 439
3. Japan – 258
4. Russian Federation – 163
5. Korea – 151
Key Companies
Key Nuclear Companies 2010
(numbers not available)
1. Exelon Corp,
2. E.on AG
3. Tokyo Electric Power
4. Kansai
5. EDF
6. GFSuez
Prospects
Outlook
The major rise in nuclear power is predicted for developing countries as the demand for energy is likely to rise. The demand in the developed world is also likely to rise as well as because nuclear energy may pose an option to decrease carbon emissions from electricity generation. This along with high energy prices and growing demand for energy in developing world will most likely make nuclear energy more attractive. However, many countries are choosing to become nuclear free (e.g. Italy and prospectively Germany).
Sustainibility
Global Compact & CSR
Nuclear energy present one of the options to decrease carbon emissions and tackle climate change. But there are many issues tied to safety and the problem of nuclear waste storage.
At the moment E. on AG and EDF are the only companies listed in UN Global Impact.
Four of the biggest producers have clear and user friendly information about their corporate social responsibility policies on their website.
Bottom of the Pyramid
After extensive research, no large-scale Bottom of the Pyramid initiatives and policies involving companies producing nuclear power have been found.
Miscellaneous
World's Nuclear Arsenals Growing, Think-Tank Warns
The world is heading for "a new era of global nuclear force modernisation and growth" despite anti-proliferation rhetoric in the US and EU, a new study says. The survey by the London and Washington-based think-tank, the British American Security Information Council (Basic), notes that every one of the world's nine nuclear powers is currently in the middle of a shopping spree.
Transition to Globalisation
Nuclear Energy and Climate Change
Nuclear energy is a vital component of a clean energy strategy. Currently nuclear generation avoids the emission of over two billion tonnes of carbon dioxide each year.
Globalization > Environment > Climate
Transition to Political Tools
Atomic Energy
Today, 439 nuclear power reactors produce approximately 16 per cent of the world’s electricity. In nine countries, over 40 per cent of energy production comes from nuclear power. The IAEA, an international organization in the UN family, fosters the safe, secure and peaceful uses of atomic energy and helps ensure the use of nuclear technology for sustainable development.
Political Tools > Global > UN
Transition to Political Actors
World Institute for Nuclear Security
The vision of WINS is to To help improve security of nuclear and high hazard radioactive materials so that they are secure from unauthorised access, theft, sabotage and diversion and cannot be utilised for terrorist or other nefarious purposes.
Political Actors > Civil society > Think tanks
