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Energy Context

Energy Context. U.S. and World are experiencing a growing demand for energy Several potential options for energy supply are being considered All options impact economy, environment, and security…but in different ways All will likely be needed, in some mix, to meet energy demand

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Energy Context

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  1. Energy Context • U.S. and World are experiencing a growing demand for energy • Several potential options for energy supply are being considered • All options impact economy, environment, and security…but in different ways • All will likely be needed, in some mix, to meet energy demand • National policies, technical feasibility, costs and public perception will be important drivers for how the mix is determined (not the same in all countries)

  2. Today’s Presentation • Why nuclear energy should be a significant contributor • In last month’s talk by Dr. Diamond, he noted, for nuclear energy: • Energy Security is National Security (Uranium is a domestic source of energy) • Competitive Costs • No Climate-change Releases • Proven (Performance and Safety) Record • Concentrated Form of Energy

  3. U.S. ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION COSTS 1995-2007, In 2007 cents per kilowatt-hour ¢/kw-hr Production Costs = Operations and Maintenance Costs+ Fuel Costs Source: Global Energy Decisions Updated: 5/08

  4. NPPs AROUND THE WORLD

  5. PERCENT OF ELECTRICITY FROM NUCLEAR ENERGY

  6. TOP 10 NUCLEAR GENERATING COUNTRIES2007, Billion kWh Source: International Atomic Energy Agency, U.S. is from Energy Information Administration Updated: 5/08

  7. Growing Worldwide Interest in Nuclear Power • Countries (12) giving serious consideration to nuclear power (within 10 years) Azerbaijan Belarus Egypt Indonesia Kazakhstan Norway Poland Lithuania Estonia Latvia Turkey Vietnam • Countries (20) with longer term plans underway Algeria Australia Chile Georgia Ghana Jordan Libya Malaysia Morocco Namibia Nigeria Bahrain Kuwait Oman Saudi Arabia Qatar United Arab Emirates Syria Venezuela Yemen • Other countries who also participated in 2006 International Atomic Energy Agency Workshop on Nuclear Power Cameroon Croatia Kenya Sudan Tanzania Uruguay * source: U.S. Department of State, International Security Advisory Board Report, April 2008, http://www.nuclear.gov/

  8. Carbon Dioxide Prevented by Nuclear Energy in the Electric Sector(in million metric tons)Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration, 2007

  9. Nuclear and Greenhouse Gases • Nuclear power plants generate electricity for one in five homes and businesses in the United States without emitting any greenhouse gases, including carbon dioxide. • Nuclear energy generates more than 70 percent of all carbon-free electricity in America • Nuclear energy is the only option available today that can provide base-load electricity production 24/7 economically and without emitting greenhouse gases. • Even if carbon dioxide emissions are evaluated on a total life cycle basis, those from nuclear energy are comparable to all other non-emitting sources, such as solar, wind and hydropower. * From Nuclear Energy Institute, www.nei.org

  10. Nuclear and Greenhouse Gases (2) • Nuclear energy accounted for 36 percent of the voluntary greenhouse gas reductions (138 million metric tons of carbon dioxide) reported by the electric power sector in 2005, according to the U.S. Energy Information Administration. • The United Nations’ Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and other international and U.S. policy groups recognize that nuclear energy should play a significant role in global greenhouse gas emission reduction policies. • The nuclear energy industry supports federal and other action that reduces greenhouse gases. A credible program to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will require a portfolio of technologies and approaches. Nuclear energy is an indispensable part of that portfolio. * From Nuclear Energy Institute, www.nei.org

  11. Nuclear Energy’sEnvironmental Benefits “[The United States should] provide opportunities for nuclear power to play a continuing role in a future low-carbon electricity sector.… Because nuclear power is one of the few options for no-carbon electricity production, efforts should be made to preserve this option.” —Pew Center on Global Climate Change Recommendation in “Agenda for Climate Action” “A more diverse mix of voices are taking a positive second look at nuclear energy— environmentalists, scientists, the media, prominent Republicans and Democrats, and progressive think tanks. They are all coming to a similar conclusion: If we are to meet the growing electricity needs in this country and also address global climate change, nuclear energy has a crucial role to play.” —Patrick Moore Co-founder, Greenpeace Co-chair, Clean and Safe Energy Coalition “Nuclear energy is the best option to curb carbon emissions.” —Dr. R.K. Pachauri Chairman, Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change * From Nuclear Energy Institute, www.nei.org

  12. THE SOURCE: FISSION Fission is the splitting of a nucleus into two or more separate nuclei of comparable mass One neutron interacts with one “fissionable” nucleus (Uranium for example) Results are: Fission Products – Two heavy nuclides One heavier than the other (Average ratio of ~ 2 : 3 ) Neutrons – 2.43 on average emitted / fission Important that more neutrons are produced than are used to cause one fission Gamma rays, beta particles Energy !! E = mc2

  13. ONE TRUCK (2 TONNES URANIUM) = 25 TRAINLOADS (260,000 TONNES COAL)

  14. LAND USEAGE

  15. Proliferation and Security Concerns • For nuclear energy systems, we distinguish two adversaries: • Host state decides to proliferate using its nuclear energy systems • Non-host entity (e.g. terrorist), threatens host with theft and/or sabotage • For host state, must have adequate international safeguards through the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and related organizations • For non-host entity, national programs must be in place to prevent and manage threats

  16. Potential Host State Threats…and Solutions • Host state threat types • Diversion of Materials to Weapons Programs • Misuse of Energy Facilities • Breakout from International Treaty Obligations • Long history of success of IAEA in limiting spread of nuclear weapons (Nobel peace prize) • Historically weapons programs have not arisen through nuclear energy programs • International nuclear fuel supply banks and spent fuel take-back programs can help to reduce proliferation risk • Future designs may incorporate intrinsic features and advanced safeguards that would further reduce risk

  17. Nuclear Plant Security Zones Owner Controlled Area Protected Area Double Fence Protected Area Vital Area Access Control Points

  18. WASTE DISPOSAL A concern to many people Used (spent) nuclear fuel consists of ceramic pellets encased in metal tubes…and still contains much useful energy Current solution: On-site storage at nuclear power plant sites

  19. DRY STORAGE IN CASKS ON SITE

  20. YUCCA MOUNTAIN SITE

  21. TRANSPORTATION • Over the last 40 years, 3,000 shipments of spent nuclear fuel on 1.7 million miles of U.S. roads performed safely • Each shipment carefully packaged and monitored • Casks are ~15 times thicker than a gasoline tank truck shell and include 3 inches of stainless steel with thick lead radiation shields • Typically for every ton of spent fuel there are 3 tons of protective packaging

  22. THE FUTURE OF NUCLEAR POWER 51 US plants have obtained extensions of their 40-year license to enable operation to 60 years--41 more are pending…and 34 new units are proposed for the next few years Nuclear energy is the only option available today that can provide base-load electricity production economically and without emitting greenhouse gases. Trends in safety and operation have been excellent. Nuclear waste disposal remains as an institutional challenge – technical solutions already exist Proliferation and terrorism being addressed nationally and internationally – concerns will exists even without nuclear power Worldwide interest in increased deployment of nuclear power We need to continue as a world leader in the nuclear arena  Nuclear power will be part of the energy mix for the foreseeable future

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