‘Fit for purpose’ nuclear energy

Abstract

The demand for energy is increasing worldwide. Countries need to ensure their energy future while decreasing their carbon emissions. Nuclear power is flexible enough to meet these demands in terms of carbon-free electricity and security of supply. A range of options for nuclear generated electricity are summarized in this paper, which suit both the developed and the developing world, and the factors involved in which option to choose are outlined.

Technologies for tomorrow's electric power generation

“…The nuclear reactors currently operating were built under a very different commercial regime from the one that will operate when the next generation is built. The possible contenders are described by Rippon [90] and Ion and Franklin [91], who suggest possible dates for their deployment (Fig. 19).…”

“…A number of much smaller reactors are also being proposed, based on the principle that they will be Fig. 20 IRIS Integral layout [91] sealed units, so that the fuel is untouchable and they are returned to a reprocessing plant if refuelling is needed in their lifetime. The SSTAR ('small, sealed, transportable autonomous reactor'), designed by the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory, can be made to generate just 10 MW e from U238 fuel, which will not need to be replenished within the 30year lifetime.…”

“…Since the fuel is not a large component of the total cost of generation, and with the incentive for energy without carbon, Fig. 21 Layout of main components in the PBMR [91] Fig. 22 Recuperated high-temperature reactor cycle for CHP [94] the economics could well make even more than this extractible.…”

“…Thus the incentive remains to develop the fast-breeder reactor and hence to extract 60 times as much energy from the uranium as thermal reactors. Moreover, fast-breeder reactors are able to destroy the higher actinides that constitute the most radio-toxic elements of nuclear waste [91]. All fast breeders to date have been liquid-metalcooled, transferring heat to steam generators, but major difficulties in maintaining the integrity of the sodium circuits have been encountered in the sodiumcooled reactor programmes in the UK and France.…”