Materials and Fuels Complex Five-Year Mission Strategy FY19 - FY23
The mission of the U.S. Department of Energy’s Office of Nuclear Energy (DOE-NE) is to advance nuclear power as a resource that is capable of meeting the nation’s energy, environmental, and national security needs by resolving technical, cost, safety, proliferation resistance, and security barriers through research, development, and demonstration (RD&D). There has never been a more compelling time to develop sources of safe, clean, renewable, carbon-free base power for the United States. Over six decades of use, nuclear power has been proven to be a safe and reliable base alternative to fossil energy sources. The primary barriers to wider commercialization of nuclear power are the life-cycle costs of current plants, the long cycle associated with development of new nuclear technologies that may be more suitable for today’s energy markets, including the management and disposition of used nuclear fuel, and the regulatory risk associated with this investment in new nuclear technology. These barriers can be addressed, in good part, by development of new technology that is simpler and therefore simpler to license, and by establishing new technology development approaches that more quickly establish design and safety bases that provide risk-averse investors and regulators the confidence they need for new technology to enter the market. While many innovative nuclear energy concepts exist that match current energy market needs, the lengthy and expensive research, development, and demonstration process and uncertain prospects for licensing discourages investment of private capital.
- Research Organization:
- Idaho National Lab. (INL), Idaho Falls, ID (United States)
- Sponsoring Organization:
- USDOE Office of Nuclear Energy (NE)
- DOE Contract Number:
- AC07-05ID14517
- OSTI ID:
- 1512801
- Report Number(s):
- INL/EXT-19-52612-Rev000
- Country of Publication:
- United States
- Language:
- English
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