Global warming---The role for nuclear power

Conference · Sun Jan 01 00:00:00 EST 1989

OSTI ID:5742310

Jones, Jr, J E; Fulkerson, W ^[1]

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1. Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)

Nuclear power is currently making an important contribution to our energy requirements. It provides 17% of the world's electricity today --- almost 20% in the US. Reducing the emissions of carbon dioxide over the next 30 to 50 years sufficiently to address the issue of global warming can only be accomplished by a combination of much improved energy efficiency, substantial growth in use of nuclear power, and substantial growth in use of renewable energy. This paper discusses new initiatives in the major nuclear technologies (LWR, HTGR, LMR) which are emerging from a fundamental reexamination of nuclear power in response to the challenges and opportunities in the 21st century. To fulfill its role, nuclear power must gain worldwide acceptance as a viable energy option. The use of modern technology and passive'' safety features in next-generation nuclear power plants offers the potential to simplify their design and operation, enhance their safety, and reduce the cost of electricity. With such improvements, we believe nuclear power can regain public confidence and make a significant contribution to our energy future. 24 refs., 2 figs., 1 tab.

• Research Organization: Oak Ridge National Lab., TN (USA)
• Sponsoring Organization: DOE/NE
• DOE Contract Number: AC05-84OR21400
• OSTI ID: 5742310
• Report Number(s): CONF-891002-1; ON: DE89014876; TRN: 89-025815
• Resource Relation: Conference: Joint power generation conference, Dallas, TX (USA), 22-26 Oct 1989
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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21 SPECIFIC NUCLEAR REACTORS AND ASSOCIATED PLANTS
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
29 ENERGY PLANNING
POLICY AND ECONOMY
CARBON DIOXIDE
EMISSION
HTGR TYPE REACTORS
HISTORICAL ASPECTS
TECHNOLOGY ASSESSMENT
LIQUID METAL COOLED REACTORS
NUCLEAR POWER
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS
WATER COOLED REACTORS
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
ENERGY CONSUMPTION
ENERGY DEMAND
FORECASTING
FOSSIL FUELS
GREENHOUSE EFFECT
HELIUM COOLED REACTORS
REACTOR SAFETY
REACTOR TECHNOLOGY
RENEWABLE ENERGY SOURCES
URANIUM 235
ACTINIDE ISOTOPES
ACTINIDE NUCLEI
ALPHA DECAY RADIOISOTOPES
CARBON COMPOUNDS
CARBON OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
DEMAND
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GAS COOLED REACTORS
GRAPHITE MODERATED REACTORS
HEAVY NUCLEI
ISOMERIC TRANSITION ISOTOPES
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MINUTES LIVING RADIOISOTOPES
NUCLEI
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
POWER
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REACTORS
SAFETY
URANIUM ISOTOPES
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