Papers in this volume: 6
1. Nuclear safety, fuel and waste management, and legal liability: Brussels and Westminster set to legislate
Author(s): Brown V. and Love B.
Page: 27
Keywords: Carbon dioxide emissions and global warming, Decommissioning, European Community (EU), European Union, Fossil fuels, Kyoto protocol greenhouse gas emissions, Nuclear industry (civil), Nuclear operations and safety, Radioactive waste management - transport and disposal, Renewable energy sources, United Kingdom
Abstract: New legislation directly affecting the nuclear arena is on the immediate horizon at both European Union (EU) and UK levels. This paper looks ahead to the new legislation by examining the supremacy and effect of the more wide-ranging legislation coming from the EU, and considers the new EU framework Directive on nuclear safety, which had a 1 January 2004 implementation deadline but which is now expected during 2004.
2. BPEO - a holistic balance or a growth industry without a purpose?
Author(s): Butler G.
Page: 33
Keywords: Best Practicable Environmental Option (BPEO), Environment, Legislation, Radioactive waste management - transport and disposal
Abstract: The principle of best practicable environmental option (BPEO) has its roots in the 1975 recommendations made by the Royal Commission on Environmental Pollution, a new approach to pollution control. Since then BPEO has had a bumpy ride, failing to be clearly defined in law and applied equally and logically �across the board�. This paper discusses the various issues surrounding BPEO, with particular emphasis on the nuclear industry, and suggesting ways forward for the future.
3. Underpinning the future of nuclear power
Author(s): Mayson R. and Cobb J.
Page: 37
Keywords: Education & training, Human resources, International Collaboration, Political issues, Research & development, Research and development, United Kingdom
Abstract: Although the Government's Energy White Paper of February 2003 intended to set objectives and policy direction for the next two decades and beyond, including cutting CO 2 emissions by 60% by 2050, it was decidedly non-committal on the future for nuclear power. This paper looks at the risks of the Energy White Paper strategy, particularly with regard to keeping the nuclear option open.
4. Uranium - sustainable resource or limit to growth?
Author(s): Macdonald C.
Page: 41
Keywords: Economics & finance, Energy market, Energy sources, Uranium, Uranium supply
Abstract: Nuclear power has many advantages, among them at least two that directly flow from the uranium energy source itself�the low cost of the natural uranium as a proportion of overall generating costs, and the small amount of fuel necessary to provide very large amounts of energy. However, some recent publications have promoted the view that limited supplies of natural uranium are the Achilles heel of nuclear power as the sector contemplates a larger contribution to future clean energy. This paper summarises some of the perspectives and analysis that support the following conclusion: uranium supply, like that for other metals, is economically sustainable. This means that normally functioning metals markets and technology change provide the drivers to ensure that supply at costs affordable to consumers is continuously replenished, both through the discovery of new resources and the redefinition (in economic terms) of known ones.
5. Potential of light-water reactors for future nuclear power plants
Author(s): Guldner R.
Page: 49
Keywords: Boiling water reactors (BWRs), Energy market, High temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs), Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Technologies, Innovative technologies, Light water reactors (LWRs), Marketing & public relations, Nuclear industry (civil), Nuclear power plant (NPP), Pressurised water reactors (PWRs), Reactor systems, Research & development
Abstract: The nuclear industry is currently faced with the double challenge of maintaining and expanding the presence of nuclear energy in base-load electricity generation and the question of tackling the penetration of nuclear energy in other sectors of the energy market, in particular the hydrogen economy. This paper argues that for several more decades, water-cooled reactors, and particularly (LWRs), light-water reactors, will be the backbone for base-load electricity generation. Generation IV reactor types may enter this market in about 30 years from now, provided they become competitive with LWRs or are needed as a complement to LWRs to penetrate new energy markets such as hydrogen production and/or to stretch out uranium resources. It also discusses the issue of winning public acceptance for new nuclear build.
6. Opportunities ofr CANDU for the Alberta oil sands
Author(s): Hopwood J.M., Bock D., Miller A., Kuran S., Keil H., Fiorino L., Hau K., Zhou X. and Dunbar R.B.
Page: 55
Keywords: Canada, CANDU reactors, Commercial opportunities & competitiveness, Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Technologies, Plant design & construction
Abstract: The Alberta oil-sands bitumen deposits comprise one of the largest sources of hydrocarbon in the world, and have emerged as the fastest-growing, soon to be dominant, source of crude oil in Canada. Although the oil industry has made great strides in improving the effectiveness of gathering this resource, the main challenge that remains is the large quantity of energy needed in the process of extracting the oil and upgrading it to commercial levels. However, over the past few years, developments in oil-sands extraction technology, and developments in CANDU technology through the advanced CANDU reactor, (ACR TM ), have converged so that a practical, economical match of nuclear energy to the oil sands is now available. This paper describes recent studies by Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) and by the Canadian Energy Research Institute (CERI) to look at the adaptation of the ACR design for use in the oil sands, in particular with regard to economic viability. Issues raised in these studies are discussed, along with priorities for further work.