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{{See also|Nuclear power proposed as renewable energy}}
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==Public opinion==
In 2005, the [[International Atomic Energy Agency]] presented the results of a series of public opinion surveys in the ''Global Public Opinion on Nuclear Issues'' report.<ref name= IAE/> Majorities of respondents in 14 of the 18 countries surveyed believe that the risk of [[nuclear terrorism|terrorist acts involving radioactive materials]] at nuclear facilities is high, because of insufficient protection. While majorities of citizens generally support the continued use of existing nuclear power reactors, most people do not favour the building of new nuclear plants, and 25% of respondents feel that all nuclear power plants should be closed down.<ref name= IAE/> Stressing the [[climate change]] benefits of nuclear energy positively influences 10% of people to be more supportive of expanding the role of nuclear power in the world, but there is still a general reluctance to support the building of more nuclear power plants.<ref name= IAE>[[International Atomic Energy Agency]] (2005). [http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Reports/gponi_report2005.pdf Global Public Opinion on Nuclear Issues and the IAEA: Final Report from 18 Countries] pp. 6-7.</ref>


==Potentials by region==
==Potentials by region==

Revision as of 16:48, 18 June 2010

For miniatures wargame, see Nuclear Renaissance (wargame).

The term nuclear renaissance refers to a global revival in interest in and construction of new nuclear power plants for electricity production. This is being driven by the rising fossil fuel prices and new concerns about meeting greenhouse gas emission limits (see Climate change mitigation). Being able to rely on an uninterrupted domestic supply of energy is allegedly also a factor. Improvements in nuclear reactor safety, and the public's waning memory of past nuclear accidents (Three Mile Island in 1979 and Chernobyl in 1986), as well as of the plant construction cost overruns of the 1970s and 80s, are lowering public resistance to new nuclear construction.[1]

At the same time, various barriers to a nuclear renaissance have been identified. These include: the availability of fewer government subsidies, unfavourable economics compared to other sources of energy, slowness in addressing climate change, industrial bottlenecks and personnel shortages in nuclear sector, and the unresolved nuclear waste issue. There are also concerns about about more accidents, security, and nuclear weapons proliferation.[2][3] New reactors under construction in Finland and France, which were meant to lead a nuclear renaissance, have been delayed and are running over-budget.[4][5]

Overview

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has stated that, as of December 2009, the world had 436 reactors, which is eight units less than the historical peak of 444 in 2002. Since commercial nuclear energy began in the mid-1950s, 2008 was the first year that no new nuclear plant was connected to the grid, although two were connected in 2009.[3]

Annual generation of nuclear power has been on a slight downward trend since 2007, decreasing 1.8% in 2009 to 2558 TWh with nuclear power meeting 13-14% of the world's electricity demand.[6] A major factor in the decrease has been the prolonged repair of seven large reactors at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa Nuclear Power Plant in Japan following the Niigata-Chuetsu-Oki earthquake.[6]

According to an article in The Times, the world is expected to build 180 nuclear power plants over the next decade, up from only 39 since 1999.[7] Fifty-two reactors are presently under construction, but several carry over from earlier eras; some are partially completed reactors on which work has resumed (eg., in Argentina); some are small and experimental (eg., Russian floating reactors); and some have been on the IAEA’s “under construction” list for years (eg., in India and Russia).[3] Reactor projects in Eastern Europe are essentially replacing old Soviet reactors shut down due to safety concerns. Most of the current activity ― 30 reactors ― is taking place in four countries: China, India, Russia and South Korea. Iran is the only country which is currently building its first power reactor, but construction began decades ago.[3]

In September 2009, Luc Oursel, chief executive of Areva Nuclear Plants (the core nuclear reactor manufacturing division of Areva) stated: "We are convinced about the nuclear renaissance". Areva has been hiring up to 1,000 people a month, due to increased demand for nuclear reactors.[8]

In March 2010, Steve Kidd from the World Nuclear Association said: "Proof of whether the mooted nuclear renaissance is merely 'industry hype' as some commentators suggest or reality will come over the next decade".[9]

Economics

Main article: Relative cost of electricity generated by different sources
See also: Economics of new nuclear power plants


Accidents and safety

Main articles: Nuclear accidents and Nuclear safety
See also: Nuclear safety in the United States and List of nuclear accidents


Controversy

Main article: Nuclear power debate
See also: Nuclear power proposed as renewable energy


Public opinion

In 2005, the International Atomic Energy Agency presented the results of a series of public opinion surveys in the Global Public Opinion on Nuclear Issues report.[10] Majorities of respondents in 14 of the 18 countries surveyed believe that the risk of terrorist acts involving radioactive materials at nuclear facilities is high, because of insufficient protection. While majorities of citizens generally support the continued use of existing nuclear power reactors, most people do not favour the building of new nuclear plants, and 25% of respondents feel that all nuclear power plants should be closed down.[10] Stressing the climate change benefits of nuclear energy positively influences 10% of people to be more supportive of expanding the role of nuclear power in the world, but there is still a general reluctance to support the building of more nuclear power plants.[10]

Potentials by region

Main article: Nuclear power by country

United States

Main article: Nuclear power in the United States
See also: List of prospective nuclear units in the United States

As of March 2010, the Nuclear Regulatory Commission expected proposals for 26 new reactors in the U.S.[11]

The 2005 Energy Policy Act authorized $18.5 billion in loan guarantees for the first of the nuclear plants, and in February 2010 the Obama administration approved a $8 billion loan guarantee for the construction of two nuclear reactors in the state of Georgia. If the project goes forward, these would be the first plants built in the United States since the 1970s.[12]

In January 2010, President Obama moved to further promote nuclear power in the United States, proposing to triple federal loan guarantees for new power plant projects and appointing a high-level panel to study nuclear waste disposal options.[13]

However, concerns still exist - primarily over potential cost overruns in the first plants (the reason for increasing the federal loan guarantees, so as to build more) and in the disposal of the spent nuclear fuel (in the wake of the effective cancellation of the Yucca Mountain nuclear waste repository).[14] Concerns over the operation of Three Mile Island-era plants also continue to be a factor.[15]

Russia

Main article: Nuclear power in Russia

In April 2010 Russia announced new plans to start building 10 new nuclear reactors in the next year.[16]

Europe

Main article: Nuclear power in the European Union

Italy reversed its ban on nuclear power and has contracts to build French EPRs.

However, new reactors under construction in Finland (see Olkiluoto Nuclear Power Plant) and France, which were meant to lead a nuclear renaissance, have been delayed and are running over-budget.[17][18]

Asia

As of 2008, the greatest growth in nuclear generation was expected to be in China, Japan, South Korea and India.[19]

As of early 2010 China had 11 nuclear reactors operating and 20 under construction, with more about to start construction soon. "China is rapidly becoming self-sufficient in reactor design and construction, as well as other aspects of the fuel cycle."[20]

India plans to supply 25% of its electricity by nuclear power by 2050.[21]

South Korea is exploring nuclear projects with a number of nations.[22]

Middle East

In December 2009 South Korea won a contract for four nuclear power plants to be built in the United Arab Emirates, for operation in 2017 to 2020.[23] [24]

Africa

As of March 2010, ten African nations had begun exploring plans to build nuclear reactors.[25][26]

South Africa (which has two nuclear power reactors), however, removed government funding for its planned new PBMRs in February 2010, pending a decision on the project in August.

South America

In April 2010 Russia agreed to assist Venezuela in obtaining nuclear power.[27]

See also

By other nations

References

  1. ^ The Nuclear Renaissance (by the World Nuclear Association)
  2. ^ Trevor Findlay. The Future of Nuclear Energy to 2030 and its Implications for Safety, Security and Nonproliferation February 4, 2010.
  3. ^ a b c d Trevor Findlay (2010). The Future of Nuclear Energy to 2030 and its Implications for Safety, Security and Nonproliferation: Overview, The Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI), Waterloo, Ontario, Canada, pp. 10-11.
  4. ^ In Finland, Nuclear Renaissance Runs Into Trouble
  5. ^ Nuclear dawn delayed in Finland
  6. ^ a b World Nuclear Association. Another drop in nuclear generation World Nuclear News, 05 May 2010.
  7. ^ Areva rushes to hire workers as demand for nuclear reactors explodes
  8. ^ Areva rushes to hire workers as demand for nuclear reactors explodes
  9. ^ Stephen W. Kidd. WNA Director: Nuclear Reborn? Nuclear Street, March 11, 2010.
  10. ^ a b c International Atomic Energy Agency (2005). Global Public Opinion on Nuclear Issues and the IAEA: Final Report from 18 Countries pp. 6-7.
  11. ^ New Reactors
  12. ^ A Comeback for Nuclear Power? New York Times, February 16, 2010.
  13. ^ Matthew L. Wald. Nuclear Power Gets Strong Push From White House The New York Times, January 29, 2010.
  14. ^ Stephanie Hemphill. Former regulator at Capitol argues against repeal of nuclear ban Minnesota Public Radio, February 8, 2010.
  15. ^ Mark Williams. Costs, Plant Age Obstacles to Nuclear Renaissance ABC News, February 25, 2010.
  16. ^ Russia prioritizes development of nuclear energy
  17. ^ In Finland, Nuclear Renaissance Runs Into Trouble
  18. ^ Nuclear dawn delayed in Finland
  19. ^ Asia's Nuclear Energy Growth
  20. ^ Nuclear Power in China
  21. ^ Nuclear Power in India
  22. ^ South Korea’s nuclear ambitions
  23. ^ Seoul's U.A.E. Deal Caps Big Sales Push
  24. ^ A new nuclear reactor nucleus
  25. ^ Africa looks to nuclear power
  26. ^ Africa and nuclear
  27. ^ [1]

Further reading

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