EPRI-INL report outlines nuclear energy strategy

PALO ALTO, CALIFORNIA - A new report co-authored by the Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Idaho National Laboratory (INL) details how nuclear energy research, development, demonstration and deployment can help reduce U.S. carbon emissions and bolster energy security.

The report, A Strategy for Nuclear Energy Research and Development, outlines the research necessary to create options for the deployment of nuclear energy in the decades ahead. The report also examines nuclear energy’s relevance to nonproliferation and the need for the United States to maintain international leadership in developing nuclear energy — issues that must be addressed for nuclear energy to have a prominent role in meeting the nation’s future energy needs.

Because of the scale, cost, and time horizons involved, sustaining and increasing nuclear energy’s share will require a coordinated research effort — combining the efforts of industry and government, supported by innovation from the research community.

The study was issued as the United States faces unprecedented challenges in climate change and energy security. President Obama has called for a reduction of CO2 emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, with a further 80 percent reduction by 2050. Meeting those aggressive goals while increasing overall energy supply will require contributions from all non- and low-emitting generating technologies.

The strategic plan defines six goals to expand the safe and economical use of nuclear energy:

1. Maintain todayÂ’s nuclear fleet of light water reactors;

2. Significantly expand the fleet with advanced light water reactors;

3. Develop non-electric applications for high-temperature reactors;

4. Assure safe, long-term used fuel management;

5. Assure long-term nuclear sustainability;

6. Strengthen United States leadership internationally.

“The report recommends that R&D to support these goals be focused in three technical areas: light water reactors and advanced light water reactors, high-temperature reactors, and fast reactors and advanced fuel cycles,” said EPRI’s Chris Larsen, vice president of the nuclear sector. “This research blend will enable the country to capitalize on numerous safety and technology advances for existing light water reactors, while developing the next generation of reactors so nuclear can service a variety of process heat applications and support nuclear fuel recycling. In essence, it establishes a set of options for deployment of non-emitting nuclear energy through this century.”

Total funding needs from government and industry for the proposed research agenda covering the initial 2010-2015 period are estimated at $3.5 billion.

Related News

puerto-rico-aftermath

After Quakes, Puerto Rico's Electricity Is Back On For Most, But Uncertainty Remains

PUERTO RICO - Some in Puerto Rico are beginning to fear the ground will never stop shaking. The island has been pummeled by hundreds of earthquakes in recent weeks, including the recent 5.9 magnitude temblor, where there were reports of landslides in the town of Peñuelas along the southern coast, rattling residents already on edge from the massive 6.4 magnitude quake.

That was the largest to strike the island in more than a century causing hundreds of structures to crumble, forcing thousands from their homes and leaving millions without power. One person was killed and several others injured.

Utility says 99% of…

READ MORE
pennsylvania electricity exports chart

EIA: Pennsylvania exports the most electricity, California imports the most from other states

READ MORE

Federal Government announces funding for Manitoba-Saskatchewan power line

READ MORE

tokyo electricity

Analysis: Out in the cold: how Japan's electricity grid came close to blackouts

READ MORE

california exports

Blackout-Prone California Is Exporting Its Energy Policies To Western States, Electricity Will Become More Costly And Unreliable

READ MORE