Dusting off the Atom: Nuclear Energy FuturesAssociate Professor, Mechanical Engineering
Outline
What has changed in the last 25 years?
Common questions about nuclear power
Future plans for nuclear
Nuclear Power Plant Basics
Energy Policy Act of 2005
The Energy Policy Act of 2005 had specific provisions to encourage the development of nuclear power in the United States
Some specific examples:
What has changed in the last 25 years?
Growth – Energy Demands
In US Total electricity sales increase by 29 percent in the AEO2008 reference case, from 3,659 billion kilowatthours in 2006 to 4,705 billion in 2030, at an average rate of 1.1 percent per year. (Energy Information Association)
Worldwide increase by 50 percent from 2005 to 2030.
Nuclear industry capacity factor up to 90%
Increased Environmental Awareness (e.g., Global warming)
World politics
Cost – “Days of cheap energy sources are behind us.”
No new accidents
Growth
5
Source: Energy Information Administration
Cost
 
What is the nuclear waste problem?
What is the nuclear proliferation risk?
How much uranium is left?
How much radiation comes from a nuclear power plant?
How much water does a commercial nuclear reactor consume?
Nuclear Waste
Waste is produced throughout the entire fuel cycle.
The high-level waste (spent nuclear fuel) is the primary concern.
Disposal is being paid for by a combination of a tax on each kilowatt hour of nuclear power.
Yucca Mountain
On June 3, 2008 DOE submitted a license application to the NRC for Yucca mountain.
The NRC now has a statute time limit of 3 to 4 years to complete its safety analysis and public hearings.
In 2010 DOE withdrew its application for Yucca Mountain licensing.
Reprocessing
Nuclear Non-Proliferation
Nuclear proliferation is a term now used to describe the spread of nuclear weapons, fissile material, and weapons-applicable nuclear technology and information, to nations which are not recognized as "nuclear weapon States" by the Treaty on the Nonproliferation of Nuclear Weapons, also known as the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty or NPT.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation?
Monitoring of nuclear activities.
Uranium Resources
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) and the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) in 2005 jointly produced a report on uranium resources. The report states that uranium resources are adequate to meet the needs of both existing and projected reactors.
Uranium Resources
Nuclear power plants consume water through water vapor emissions.
This water is from a condenser loop that does not run through the reactor core.
Electricity generation accounts for3.3 % of water consumption in U.S..
6.7 % for residential use
Nuclear power capacity worldwide is increasing steadily but not dramatically, with about 35 reactors under construction in 12 countries. 
Most reactors on order or planned are in the Asian region, though plans are firming for new units in Europe, the USA and Russia. 
Significant further capacity is being created by plant upgrading. 
http://www.nrc.gov/reactors/new-reactors/col/new-reactor-map.html
World Growth for Nuclear Power
Data from U.S. DoE
Nuclear Power Plant Basics
The basic premises for the majority of power plants is to:
1) Create heat
2) Boil Water
4) Use turbine to turn generator
5) Produce Electricity
Some other power producing technologies work differently (e.g., solar, wind, hydroelectric, …)
Nuclear Power Plants use the Rankine Cycle
Heat From Fission
Fission Chain Reaction
World-wide demand for electricity continues to grow.
Environmental concerns play a part in selecting electricity sources to meet the demand.
Nuclear energy will play a vital role in the production of electricity for the foreseeable future.
Conclusions
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