Status of Nuclear Power in USStatus of Nuclear Power in US
Brief history of nuclear powerBrief history of nuclear power Nuclear reactor roadmapNuclear reactor roadmap 2010 Program2010 Program Economics of nuclear powerEconomics of nuclear power Nuclear fuel cyclesNuclear fuel cycles
History of Nuclear PowerHistory of Nuclear Power
1932—Chadwick discovers neutron in England.1932—Chadwick discovers neutron in England.1938—Hahn and Strassman discover fission in Germany.1938—Hahn and Strassman discover fission in Germany.1942—Fermi and colleagues construct 11942—Fermi and colleagues construct 1stst critical assembly in Chicago (CP-1). critical assembly in Chicago (CP-1).1946—Creation of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) after WWII.1946—Creation of the Atomic Energy Commission (AEC) after WWII.1951—Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR-1) in Idaho generates first1951—Experimental Breeder Reactor I (EBR-1) in Idaho generates first
electricity from nuclear energy.electricity from nuclear energy.1957—First commercial light water nuclear reactor reaches full power 1957—First commercial light water nuclear reactor reaches full power
in Shippingport, PA.in Shippingport, PA.1960s—Rapid growth of the nuclear power industry in U.S.1960s—Rapid growth of the nuclear power industry in U.S.1977—Creation of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).1977—Creation of U.S. Department of Energy (DOE).1979—TMI accident.1979—TMI accident.1989—NRC licensing process streamlined.1989—NRC licensing process streamlined.2000—Generation IV (GEN IV) concepts formalized.2000—Generation IV (GEN IV) concepts formalized.2002—Nuclear Power 2010 Program announced by DOE to stimulate nuclear 2002—Nuclear Power 2010 Program announced by DOE to stimulate nuclear industry in US; Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative established by DOE.industry in US; Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiative established by DOE.2007—First applications received by NRC for new nuclear plant construction.2007—First applications received by NRC for new nuclear plant construction.
Nuclear Reactor RoadmapNuclear Reactor Roadmap
From DOE via WikipediaFrom DOE via Wikipedia
FBR GE (ESBWR)
Westinghouse (AP1000)
Westinghouse
Areva NPRussian
Nuclear Power 2010 ProgramNuclear Power 2010 Programo Joint government/industry cost-shared effort ($18.5Joint government/industry cost-shared effort ($18.5 billion in loan guarantees).billion in loan guarantees).o Identify sites for new nuclear power plants.Identify sites for new nuclear power plants.o Develop and bring to market advanced Develop and bring to market advanced nuclear plant technologies.nuclear plant technologies.o Evaluate the business case for building Evaluate the business case for building new nuclear power plants.new nuclear power plants.o Demonstrate untested regulatory and licensingDemonstrate untested regulatory and licensing processes (Construction and Operating License).processes (Construction and Operating License).
From the NRCFrom the NRC
GEN IIIGEN III
GEN III+GEN III+
www.ne.doe.govwww.ne.doe.gov
From the Energy Information AdministrationFrom the Energy Information Administration
Worldwide Electricity DemandWorldwide Electricity Demand
Nuclear Component of Electricity DemandNuclear Component of Electricity Demand
Need to invest in nuclear energy
Benefits and Challenges of Nuclear PowerBenefits and Challenges of Nuclear Power+Zero greenhouse gas emission (COZero greenhouse gas emission (CO22, SO, SO22, Nitrous oxides), Nitrous oxides)+Stable base-load electricity generationStable base-load electricity generation+Reduces reliance on energy importsReduces reliance on energy imports+Pricing stability (production costs constant when adjusted for inflation)Pricing stability (production costs constant when adjusted for inflation)+Improved safety (safety system triggers per plant: 2.4 in 1987, 0.03 in 2000)Improved safety (safety system triggers per plant: 2.4 in 1987, 0.03 in 2000)+Fuel reprocessing technology proven (UK, Germany, Japan, France reprocess)Fuel reprocessing technology proven (UK, Germany, Japan, France reprocess)+Helps diversify energy supplyHelps diversify energy supply
─Radioactive waste (no real plan in US: local storage, Yucca mountain)Radioactive waste (no real plan in US: local storage, Yucca mountain)─Fear of accident (TMI and Chernobyl)Fear of accident (TMI and Chernobyl)─Lack of public support (tide is turning; US federal government support now)Lack of public support (tide is turning; US federal government support now)─Cost (goal of NP 2010 program is to help with cost)Cost (goal of NP 2010 program is to help with cost)
Changed 1989
Old vs. New Licensing Process
Economics of Nuclear PowerCurrent cost of electricity: $0.10 per kWhEstimated capital cost w/interest: $4,000 per kW(e) (3% cost inflation, 6-year construction)Total capital cost 1500 MW(e): $6B1 year revenue at 100% full power: $1.3B
The Keystone CenterJune 2007
Electricity Deregulation
Individuals can now purchaseelectricity on a per hour basis—does not include distribution costs.
Ameren IP
Hour by Hour Electricity Cost—Champaign region
Nuclear Fuel CycleNuclear Fuel Cycle
The Future of Nuclear Power, MITThe Future of Nuclear Power, MIT
U3O8 UF6 LEU UOXMOX
Sasahara et al., 2004
Effect of closing the fuel Effect of closing the fuel cycle—actinide burningcycle—actinide burning
DOE Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee, 2002
Cm-245
long-lived
The Future of Nuclear Power, MIT
OpenOpen: : Once-through cycleOnce-through cycle
Major actinides: U, PuMinor actinides: Np, Am, Cm, Bk, Cf
U ore
PUREX—Plutonium-Uranium Recovery by ExtractionPUREX—Plutonium-Uranium Recovery by Extraction
Spent FuelSpent Fuel
Organic SolventOrganic Solvent(TBP + Kerosene)(TBP + Kerosene)
Insoluble SolidsInsoluble SolidsSoluble ElementsSoluble Elements
(U, Pu, FPs)(U, Pu, FPs)
Nitric AcidNitric Acid
Nitric Acid + FPsNitric Acid + FPsPu + U + SolventPu + U + Solvent
PlutoniumPlutoniumUraniumUranium
Am + CmAm + CmTRUEXTRUEX
Partitioning based Partitioning based on solubilityon solubility
The Future of Nuclear Power, MITThe Future of Nuclear Power, MIT
ClosedClosed: : One recycle of Pu w/thermal onlyOne recycle of Pu w/thermal only
ProliferationConcerns
NEA News 2002, no. 20.2NEA News 2002, no. 20.2
Effect of closingEffect of closingthe fuel cyclethe fuel cycle
Compare
P. Lisowski, 2007P. Lisowski, 2007
Reduction in repository holding timesReduction in repository holding times
The Future of Nuclear Power, MITThe Future of Nuclear Power, MIT
Radioisotope Radioisotope contributioncontributionto spent fuelto spent fuelradiotoxicityradiotoxicity
GEN IV Reactor ConceptsGEN IV Reactor ConceptsFASTFAST
THERMALTHERMAL
From DOE via WikipediaFrom DOE via Wikipedia
Integrated ApproachIntegrated Approach
DOEDOE
NERINERIGNEPGNEP
GEN IVGEN IV AFCIAFCI
US IndustryUS Industry
2010 Program2010 Program
NHINHI
GlobalGlobalPartnersPartners
The GNEP ConceptThe GNEP Concept
GNEP Technical Development Plan, 2007GNEP Technical Development Plan, 2007
GPGP
NENE
Advanced Burner ReactorAdvanced Burner Reactor
Non-proliferation
P. Lisowski, 2007P. Lisowski, 2007
Global PartnershipGlobal PartnershipOriginal: China, France, Japan, Russia, United States.Original: China, France, Japan, Russia, United States.New: Australia, Bulgaria, Ghana, Hungary, Jordan, ROKNew: Australia, Bulgaria, Ghana, Hungary, Jordan, ROKKazakhstan, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, UkraineKazakhstan, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Slovenia, Ukraine
P. Lisowski, 2007P. Lisowski, 2007
Closing the fuel cycle with fast reactorsClosing the fuel cycle with fast reactors
Effect of closing the fuel Effect of closing the fuel cycle—resource conservationcycle—resource conservation
DOE Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee, 2002DOE Nuclear Energy Research Advisory Committee, 2002
Closed: recycle with fast breeder reactorClosed: recycle with fast breeder reactor
Duderstadt and HamiltonDuderstadt and Hamilton
The Future of Nuclear Power, MITThe Future of Nuclear Power, MIT
Closed: Recycling with thermal and fast reactorsClosed: Recycling with thermal and fast reactors
NEA News 2002, no. 20.2NEA News 2002, no. 20.2
Effect of closingEffect of closingthe fuel cyclethe fuel cycle
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