Nuclear Power Feasibility 2007

Abstract

Nuclear power is a proven technology and has the potential to generate virtually limitless energy with no significant greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear power can become one of the main options to contribute to substantial cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions. Modern development of nuclear power technology and the established framework of international agreements and conventions are responding to the major political, economic and environmental issues -high capital costs, the risks posed by nuclear waste and accidents, and the proliferation of nuclear weaponry- that until recently hindered the expansion of nuclear power. In response to such prospects, the WFEO Energy Standing Committee set up a Task Group to develop this Report on NUCLEAR POWER FEASIBILITY - 2008. This Report gathers information on the state-of-the-art of nuclear energy technology and its current technical and economic feasibility based on engineering criteria and technological maturity. Members of the Task Group were appointed by WFEO Member Organizations. This Report is being presented as a publication in the Energy Standing Committee Series on Feasibility of Current Energy Options. The Series is intended to give the viewpoint of the engineer on questions related to technical and economic feasibility of energy issues of significance to society. It aims at providing the engineer and decision making officers with updated information regarding the state-of-the-art of different technologies that are being used or are under consideration for the supply of energy.