Dusting off the Atom: Nuclear Energy Futures

Steven Biegalski, Ph.D., P.E.Director, Nuclear Engineering Teaching LaboratoryAssociate Professor, Mechanical EngineeringDusting off the Atom: Nuclear Energy Futures

OutlineEnergy Policy Act of 2005What has changed in the last 25 years?Common questions about nuclear powerFuture plans for nuclearNuclear Power Plant BasicsConclusions

Energy Policy Act of 2005 The Energy Policy Act of 2005 had specific provisions to encourage the development of nuclear power in the United StatesSome specific examples:Liability limitsCost-overrun supportTax creditsResearch and developmentSteps up DoE work to address high-level waste problem.What has changed in the last 25 years?Growth Energy DemandsIn US Total electricity sales increase by 29 percent in the AEO2008 reference case, from 3,659 billion kilowatthours in 2006 to 4,705 billion in 2030, at an average rate of 1.1 percent per year. (Energy Information Association)Worldwide increase by 50 percent from 2005 to 2030.Nuclear industry capacity factor up to 90%Increased Environmental Awareness (e.g., Global warming)World politicsReduction in dependence on foreign countries for energy Cost Days of cheap energy sources are behind us.No new accidentsIncreased operational efficiency of nuclear power plants.Growth

5U.S. Nuclear Plant Capacity Factor

Source: Energy Information AdministrationUpdated: 5/10Increased Environmental Awareness

Per capita CO2 emissions.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Image:GHG_per_capita_2000.svgCarbon Footprints

Reduction in dependence on foreign countries for energy

Cost

Data from U.S. DoE10OECD electricity generating cost projections for year 2010NuclearCoalGasFinland2.763.64-France2.543.333.92Germany2.863.524.90Switzerland2.88-4.36Netherlands3.58-6.04Czech Rep2.302.944.97Slovakia3.134.785.59Romania3.064.55-Japan4.804.955.21Korea2.342.164.65USA3.012.714.67Canada2.603.114.00Source: OECD/IEA NEA 2005.Common questions about nuclear powerWhat is the nuclear waste problem?What is the nuclear proliferation risk?How much uranium is left? How much radiation comes from a nuclear power plant?How much water does a commercial nuclear reactor consume?Nuclear WasteNuclear reactors produce nuclear waste.Waste is produced throughout the entire fuel cycle.The high-level waste (spent nuclear fuel) is the primary concern.Disposal is being paid for by a combination of a tax on each kilowatt hour of nuclear power.

Yucca MountainOn June 3, 2008 DOE submitted a license application to the NRC for Yucca mountain. The NRC now has a statute time limit of 3 to 4 years to complete its safety analysis and public hearings.In 2010 DOE withdrew its application for Yucca Mountain licensing.

Reprocessing

Nuclear Non-ProliferationNuclear proliferation is a term now used to describe the spread of nuclear weapons, fissile material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information, to nations which are not recognized as "nuclear weapon States" by the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also known as the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty or NPT.

Nuclear Non-Proliferation?Things to be done:Control of world-wide nuclear fuel cycle.Monitoring of nuclear activities.Proliferation resistant fuels and fuel cycles.

Uranium ResourcesThe Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2005 jointly produced a report on uranium resources. The report states that uranium resources are adequate to meet the needs of both existing and projected reactors.

Uranium Resources

Radiation

Water ResourcesNuclear power plants consume water through water vapor emissions.This water is from a condenser loop that does not run through the reactor core.Electricity generation accounts for3.3 % of water consumption in U.S..6.7 % for residential use81.3% for irrigation

Future Plans for NuclearNuclear power capacity worldwide is increasing steadily but not dramatically, with about 35 reactors under construction in 12 countries. Most reactors on order or planned are in the Asian region, though plans are firming for new units in Europe, the USA and Russia. Significant further capacity is being created by plant upgrading.http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/col/new-reactor-map.htmlLocation of Projected New US Nuclear Power Reactors

World Growth for Nuclear Power

Data from U.S. DoENuclear Power Plant BasicsThe basic premises for the majority of power plants is to:1) Create heat2) Boil Water3) Use steam to turn a turbine4) Use turbine to turn generator5) Produce ElectricitySome other power producing technologies work differently (e.g., solar, wind, hydroelectric, )Nuclear Power Plants use the Rankine Cycle

Heat From Fission

Fission Chain Reaction

PWR

BWR

World-wide demand for electricity continues to grow.Environmental concerns play a part in selecting electricity sources to meet the demand.Nuclear energy will play a vital role in the production of electricity for the foreseeable future.

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