The Future of Nuclear Energy

Forsberg, C.W. (2009a), Is Hydrogen the Future of Nuclear Energy , Nuclear Technology, 166, 3-10. 

Harding, C, G. F. The Future of Nuclear Energy in Western Industrialized Nations, ATW Atomwirtschaft Atomtech. 33, 543 - 546 (1988). 

The Editors are well aware that it is rather unusual to write an editorial introduction to one particular chapter however, in this case it seems to be appropriate and desirable. The reason is that this chapter is at least as much about the future of (nuclear) energy production as about its present (and to some extent its past). 

As I mentioned earlier, the climate change debate - and more broadly the debate about emissions constraints on energy production and use - is also a critical one for the future of nuclear power in the U.S. 

As I mentioned earlier in try talk, the need to establish a greater alignment of our energy R D investments with our policies, regulations - and the externalities I have outlined - is critical to the future of nuclear power, especially in times of declining private sector R D. 

The news then on the future of nuclear power in today s energy environment is mixed. Good, because nuclear power will continue to be an option, particularly in Asia. . . because construction costs and times are coming down. . . because some units are able to compete in a restructured market. . . because as a non-emitter of carbon, nuclear power is more desirable in a carbon-constrained environment. 

There have, over the last decade, been at least three major developments in the energy field, all with considerable potential effect on the future of nuclear power ... 

The point is that there are no technical nuclear problems without rational solutions. The key problems are public misconceptions and the resulting institutional impediments which can impact on the potential of nuclear energy to meet future world needs. 

The one available means to significantly meet future world energy needs, while avoiding the fossil fuel problems, is to expand the use of nuclear energy. The key... 

In what way and how much do the military origins and uses of fission energy impact the prospects for revival ofthe nuclear power option Are they a serious impediment are they of little significance or is it just possible that, if fully understood, the military implications are a positive factor No assessment of the future of nuclear power can be complete without consideration ofthe military use issue, the essence of which is the potential spread of nuclear weapons to additional countries or even subnational entities. This paper reviews this issue, giving particular attention to international nuclear safeguards, certainly the most distinctive, and probably the most misunderstood feature of the nuclear nonproliferation regime. 

What is not so easy to predict is where all this energy will come from. Fossil fuel supplies are limited, and the atmospheric increases in carbon dioxide caused by their burning are two major problems. Fuel source predictions from the EIA include fossil fuels as the largest source of energy in the future, with nuclear energy and renewable forms of energy at the bottom of the charts. 

Because of the hazards, the future of nuclear reactors is clouded. What was once hailed as the ultimate solution to our energy needs in the twenty-first century is now... 

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