Can nuclear energy act as transitionary energy between a fossil fuel-based energy system and a renewable-based energy system? : can innovations in nuclear technology help lead to the next golden age in sustainable energy?
Author: Finlay Ross Mann
Year: 2023
Supervisors: Ágúst Valfells
Abstract:
A low carbon solution is needed to bridge the gap between our current fossil fuel-based energy system and the more sustainable energy system we are trying to achieve. Nuclear energy could be that much needed low carbon fuel. However, nuclear energy is presented with obstacles that range from technological, economic, and social. Issues with current Generation 3 reactors range from technological concerns such as waste disposal to the nuclear fuel cycle. Social issues concern public opinion and qualified staff that are needed to maintain nuclear power plants and finally economic issues range from high upfront capital cost to high operating and maintenance cost. This research investigates this topic by first identifying and analyzing the mentioned issues when it comes to nuclear energy and then aims to seek potential solutions to these problems. Using examples such as newer technologies which are not only cheaper, but safer, and would have more of a chance to be accepted by the general public. Some of these include types of reactor technology such as Small Modular Reactors, Molten Salt Reactors and Nuclear Fusion. Nuclear energy also has the ability to be used in the future of our energy grids, allowing for continuous and stable baseload power as well as energy security for many nations. New reactor technology which comes in the form of Generation 4 reactors, could allow for such a future. Without a low carbon fuel to bridge the gap between a fossil fuel and a renewable based energy system, it would simply not be possible to reach the ambitious climate goals put forth by many of the world's governments. However, if nuclear energy were to be used to limit the use of fossil fuels while the renewable energy sector continues to grow, it may still be possible to keep climate change under control.