Nuclear Power Generation

Abstract

Nuclear is a dense energy without CO₂ emission. It can be used for more than 1000 years using fast reactors and for more than 100,000 years using fast reactors with uranium from the sea. However, it raises difficult problems associated with severe accidents, spent fuel waste, and nuclear threats, which should be solved with acceptable costs. The Fukushima Daiichi accident seriously affected the Japanese atomic energy program. Before the accident, nuclear was considered one of the main baseload energies and was positively promoted. Shortly after the accident, closing and decommissioning of all nuclear reactors were seriously considered. Now, after 4 years, several nuclear reactors have a plan to renew operation. However, it will be difficult to construct new reactors in the near future. China and certain emerging countries have aggressive future plans for nuclear energy. Some innovative reactors have attracted interest, and many designs have been proposed for small reactors. These reactors are considered much safer than conventional large reactors and have fewer technical obstructions. Breed-and-burn reactors have high potential to solve all inherent problems for peaceful use of nuclear energy. However, they have some technical problems with materials. In Japan, even if nuclear energy is used, its contribution to mitigating global warming is very slight. However, if we contribute to developing innovative nuclear energy systems, the results will be global and the contributions considerable. The roadmap for large reactors in Japan is not a technological issue but a political and sociological one, while the roadmap for innovative reactors is technological. A roadmap for innovative reactors in Japan is presented herein.