Part 1 of 2 Parts
The U.K. has been pondering the proper role of nuclear power for several years. They have old nuclear power reactors that will have to be retired in the not-too-distant future. This energy will have to be replaced. They are currently constructing the Hinkley C nuclear power reactor, but other such projects have been foundering, primarily because of questions of financing. While there is some public support for nuclear power, there is also a great deal of public resistance to accepting the nearby construction of nuclear power plants.
Nuclear power has been touted as one of the solutions to the problem of carbon emissions. Industrialized nations are trying to cooperate in the reduction of carbon emissions to zero by 2050. While nuclear power may be “carbon-free” during operation, a great deal of carbon dioxide is emitted during the mining and refining of uranium for fuel as well as the curing of concrete used in construction. With the steadily dropping cost of alternative energy such as solar and wind systems and the steadily rising cost of constructing and maintaining nuclear power plants, there are public calls for the end of nuclear power in the U.K. For those who support the development of both alternative energy and nuclear power to fight climate change, it is an unfortunate truth that in selecting support for a strong nuclear power program, supporting alternative energy becomes more difficult.
Nuclear experts at the University of Manchester have been working on the issue of nuclear power for the U.K. and they have identified eight actions that will be required to objectively assess the role of nuclear power in net-zero carbon emission for the future of U.K. power generation. They have published a position paper with the title Nuclear energy for net zero: a strategy for action. The position paper determines what policymakers and industry need to explore in order to make informed decisions based on a “best economics” basis. These tasks include the development of advisory bodies, non-partisan modeling of the economic path and the optimization of research and development programs.
The position paper was authored by the senior leadership team at the university’s Dalton Nuclear Institute (DNI). The DNI is host to the biggest and most advanced nuclear research capability in the U.K. The authors are Francis Livens, director; Gregg Butler, head of strategic assessment; William Bodel, research associate in nuclear systems choice; and Juan Matthews, visiting professor in nuclear energy technology.
Livens said, “Net zero by 2050 is such a massive challenge for this country that it is really all hands to the pumps. The reality is we need to explore all these options and evaluate them on a level playing field and come to an objective decision about, 'Does nuclear have a part to play in our energy future or not?'. Either way, the UK needs to move fast to resolve this question and take any opportunity that is there. If it continues to prevaricate, any opportunity will certainly be lost.”
Bodel said, with respect to the new position paper, “We have developed this paper because we felt a responsibility as an impartial academic community to support our colleagues in government and industry. The UK has set a world-leading net-zero target, but simply setting the target is not enough - we need to achieve it. Now is the time to take key actions which will determine the roles nuclear can play, recognizing that they should only be adopted if they contribute to an optimized economic and environmental solution. We might know a lot about nuclear energy - but it’s got to be viewed as a candidate for helping to reach net zero - not as an end in itself.”
Please read Part 2 next