A Feasibility Study on a Future Zero-Carbon Electricity System Based on 100% Nuclear Power in Japan

The realization of a zero-carbon electricity system is of vital importance to CO₂ reduction in an energy system, and nuclear power is expected to contribute to this much more than the intermittent, complicated, and costly renewable energy in the future in Japan. Therefore, in the present study, a future zero-carbon electricity system based on 100% nuclear power was proposed in Japan. The feasibility of the system was studied in terms of the reliability of fluctuations of both the daily and seasonal electricity demand and supply using an hour-by-hour computer simulation. The simulation provided a detailed system design and real-time operation information for the electricity system based on hourly data series of electrical load, nuclear power output, and electricity storage. The obtained results show that the proposed nuclear-powerbased zero-carbon electricity system is technologically feasible with the help of EV batteries and hydrogen for daily and seasonal electricity storage, respectively, and smart control technologies are necessary to operate the whole system. Finally, key issues relating to the implementation of such a system were discussed to highlight the need for continued research.     

Sustainability by combining nuclear,fossil, and renewable energy sources

The energy industries face two sustainability challenges: the need to avoid climate change and the need to replace traditional crude oil as the basis of our transport system. Radical changes in our energy system will be required to meet these challenges. These challenges may require tight coupling of different energy sources (nuclear, fossil, and renewable) to produce liquid fuels for transportation, match electricity production to electricity demand, and meet other energy needs. This implies a paradigm shift in which different energy sources are integrated together, rather than being considered separate entities that compete. Several examples of combined-energy systems are described. High-temperature nuclear heat may increase worldwide light crude oil resources by an order of magnitude while reducing greenhouse gas releases from the production of liquid fossil fuels. Nuclear–biomass liquid-fuels production systems could potentially meet world needs for liquid transport fuels. Nuclear–hydrogen peak power systems may enable renewable electricity sources to meet much of the world's electric demand by providing electricity when the wind does not blow and the sun does not shine.     

用于海上钻井平台的小型钠冷快堆核电源概念设计方案

根据海上石油钻井平台用户电力需求的特点,介绍了一种基于斯特林热气机发电技术的小型钠冷快堆核电源设计方案,研究了小型钠冷快堆核电源的总体技术方案、主回路冷却系统以及关键设备设计方案,并给出小型钠冷快堆核电源的初步布置方案。研究结果表明：小型钠冷快堆核电源概念设计方案符合海上石油钻井平台用户需求的长周期换料、空间限制等特点。     

Nuclear-Hydrogen Power

Methods for obtaining hydrogen and using hydrogen in power engineering, transportation, and industry, and methods for handling hydrogen (storage and safety) are examined.The concept of nuclear-hydrogen power – using the energy generated by nuclear reactors to produce hydrogen and using this hydrogen in power engineering and industry – is presented. The development of nuclear-hydrogen power will contribute to global energy security and decrease the demand for fuels which affect climate change on our planet.The technologies needed for nuclear-hydrogen power to become a reality – high-temperature nuclear reactors, apparatus for the efficient production of hydrogen from water, hydrogen fuel cells, chemothermal converters, and hydrogen storage and shipment technology – are analyzed.     

Choice of the unit power-generating capacity of a nuclear power plant

A characteristic of the present status of nuclear power in Russia is that in the next few years it will be necessary to make basic technological and economic decisions that will have long-term consequences. These decisions must concern all aspects of the nuclear-power complex. Specifically, at the present time there is no validation of the present and future requirements for the capacity of serially manufactured power-generating units of nuclear power plants with VVER or fast reactors. The problem of choosing the unit capacity of a nuclear power plant must be examined taking account of different factors and not solely from the standpoint of minimizing the capital and operational components of the cost of electricity. The main objective of this work was to develop recommendations for validating the optimal capacity of powergenerating units in nuclear power plants (capital costs, construction time, harm due to unanticipated stoppage of the power-generating units, unification, manufacturing quality, harm due to accidents, and so forth), the possibilities of electric grids, and the regional demand for electricity. Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 105, No. 5, pp. 243–248, November, 2008.     

The Role of Nuclear Power in Reducing Risk of the Fossil Fuel Prices and Diversity of Electricity Generation in Tunisia: A Portfolio Approach

This paper applies real options and mean–variance portfolio theories to analyze the electricity generation planning into presence of nuclear power plant for the Tunisian case. First, we analyze the choice between fossil fuel and nuclear production. A dynamic model is presented to illustrate the impact of fossil fuel cost uncertainty on the optimal timing to switch from gas to nuclear. Next, we use the portfolio theory to manage risk of the electricity generation portfolio and to determine the optimal fuel mix with the nuclear alternative. Based on portfolio theory, the results show that there is other optimal mix than the mix fixed for the Tunisian mix for the horizon 2010–2020, with lower cost for the same risk degree. In the presence of nuclear technology, we found that the optimal generating portfolio must include 13% of nuclear power technology share.     

功率展平的压水堆乏燃料发电包层中子学初步研究

聚变裂变混合堆在增殖核燃料、嬗变长寿命核废料及固有安全性等方面具有较大优势,同时,它比纯聚变堆在工程及技术方面要求低,因此较聚变堆更易实现。本工作基于目前国际聚变实验堆（ITER）所能达到的技术水平,提出一种直接利用乏燃料进行发电的聚变裂变混合堆包层概念,利用在不同位置放置不同乏燃料体积分数的方法对燃料增殖区实现了功率展平。计算结果表明：功率展平后的包层功率不均匀系数更小,且包层中燃料区的能量输出要比不展平情况下的能量输出高约21.7%。燃料富集度到运行末期最大可达5.23%。从中子学角度初步论证了该包层的可行性。     

Nuclear Power Plant Compliance with the Principle of Power-System Indepedence from Safety Systems Operation

The purpose of this paper is to show that during the operation of safety systems at nuclear power plants the principle of independence from the power system, which is one of the basic principles inocrporated in the design of safety systems, is not satisfied and the power system, especially if it is deficient, cannot guarantee the required electricity and protection for safety systems from general failures. To satisfy the independence principle, guarantee the required quality of electricity, and protect the safety systems in nuclear power plants from general failures, it is proposed that the presently operative algorithm for starting up diesel generators be reexamined. When the safety systems at nuclear power plants perform their required functions, they should operate from autonomous diesel generators at the nuclear power plant, which are equipped with electricity quality regulators (frequency and voltage), and not from the power system. It is also suggested that the variant of the algorithm where diesel generators are started up as a preventative measure when the quality of the electricity in the power system drops below admissable limits be reexamined.     

四川发展核电的可行性分析

世界核电已经进入新的发展期，四川省应抓住机遇，积极发展核电。核电作为安全、清洁的能源已得到社会的公认，经济竞争力也大大提高。根据四川未来20年对电力的需求以及能源结构矛盾，发展核电有利于解决能源短缺，优化电力结构和改善环境，实现四川经济可持续发展。     

Regulatory policies and the future of nuclear power

This paper reviews some of the national policies and regulatory decisions that have the potential to affect the production of electricity from nuclear power. It is shown that many policies and regulatory initiatives are introduced to meet objectives other than determining the mix of electricity supply resources, such as reducing the cost of electricity or protecting public health and safety. Nevertheless, such policies and requirements can have a substantial effect on the competitiveness of present nuclear power plants, as well as on prospects for future nuclear power plants. Because electricity from nuclear power can substitute for electricity from fossil fuels, policies and regulations which affect the competitiveness of nuclear power can have an effect of the production of carbon emissions, and therefore can compete with, or complement, national environmental objectives.     

大亚湾核电站延伸运行与长期低功率运行

延伸运行和长期低功率运行是核电生产所采用的两种比较特殊的运行模式。着重阐述了大亚湾核电站的延伸运行和长期低功率运行模式，相关的设计论证一安全分析、运行的影响与控制以及成功的实践经验。设计论证的结果以及现场实践的经验证明。这两种运行模式都是可行的。     

The Future of Nuclear Power: Energy, Ecology, and Safety

The results are presented of a bilateral meeting of Russian and US experts on The future of nuclear power: energy, ecology, and safety held on July 22–24, 2002 in Moscow. The subject of discussion was the question of how the US and Russia can provide for a future where nuclear energy will support economic growth, improve living conditions, protect the environment, and ensure nonproliferation of nuclear weapons. Several positive points concerning nuclear fuel cycle which emerged and which encourage a reexamination of the future of nuclear power are noted. It is suggested that a four- or fivefold increase by the middle of this century in the production of nuclear energy be considered and discussed as a problem which is important enough to have a global effect on electricity production, energy safety, and mitigation of the greenhouse effect. A prediction is made for the development of global nuclear power in the 21st century. Specific directions of Russian–American collaboration are proposed without setting priorities. The factors that could effectuate successful collaboration are determined.     

Importance of nuclear generation in the struggles to reduce CO2 emission at Kansai Electric Power Co.

It has been pointed out in recent years that the potential impacts of global warming has been becoming more and more serious because of the rapid increase of anthropogenic CO₂ emission.

Japan's annual CO₂ emissions (fiscal 1994) amounted to 343 million tons of carbon. Although CO₂ emissions caused by fossil-fuel power generation accounted for 29.4% of total, on a sector basis, those directly from the energy conversion sector accounted for only 7.7%. Most CO₂ emissions (21.7% of total) resulted from electric power use in the industrial, commercial and domestic sectors. Thus, the reduction of CO₂ emissions caused by the use of electricity is a nationwide subject.

Understanding that both supply side and demand side approaches are necessary, Kansai Electric has been deploying “New ERA Strategy” as a comprehensive strategy to seek a potential for CO₂ reduction more broadly and deeply. Among a number of action items are the promotion of nuclear power generation, and improvement of overall energy efficiency, besides such demand side measures as leveling off the peak load.

The effectiveness of action items of the New ERA Strategy was evaluated in terms of CO₂ reduction. As a result, estimated CO₂ reduction related to nuclear power amounted to 88% of the total for fiscal 1995 in comparison with 1990, and that expected in 2000 is 84%. These results reconfirm that nuclear power is always the key to practical CO₂ reduction at present and in the future.

Comparison with candidate technology alternatives revealed that photovoltaic power generation needed 7 times greater rated capacity and 280 times larger area than nuclear power, so it is not realistic as a central power station alternative. The comparison also clarified that if wind power stations were constructed at all feasible sites in the Kansai region, they would not be a viable alternative to a single nuclear unit from CO₂ reduction viewpoint.     

Role of Nuclear Power in World Energy Production in the 21st Century

World growth of energy consumption in the 21st century is unavoidable. The most intense growth will occur in the developing countries. Of course, fossil fuels will continue to serve as the main source of energy, but the problems due to the growth of the raw materials base will also increase. The growth of nuclear power production will facilitate a successful solution to these problems. Various estimates show that by mid-century nuclear power will grow by a factor of four or five from the present level. Under such conditions, the solution of certain internal problems of nuclear power, such as preventing proliferation, handling spent fuel and radioactive wastes, and developing a reliable intrinsic raw materials base based on a closed fuel cycle and innovative nuclear technologies, will be exceedingly important for large-scale nuclear power to be successful. In this article, an assessment of the possible role of nuclear power in providing for the stable advancement of human civilization on global and regional scales is made on the basis of predictions of the growth of power production. __________ Translated from Atomnaya Energiya, Vol. 99, No. 5, pp. 323–336, November, 2005.     

A Proposal for cooperative activities between Japan and Indonesia in the field of Nuclear research and Nuclear education

Development and realization of cooperative activities between Japan and Indonesia in nuclear research and education is indeed very important for scientists and engineers of both countries. This bilateral cooperation can easily be expanded into a regional cooperation benefiting the scholars from Asian region which is expecting a New Nuclear Age in the 21st Century.

To develop and realize this cooperative activities, in the first step, we invite the ideas of our partners in the Nuclear Institution and in Universities. They are eager to have and undertake this cooperation effort. For nuclear research activities, they have proposed several topics which include: advanced radioactive waste technology and management in a nuclear power plant, innovative fuel development for LWR's, gas cooled reactor for electricity and hydrogen production and a topic on design and construction of high energy accelerator.

Institute of Technology – Bandung (ITB), University of Gajah Mada (UGM) and School of Nuclear Technology (STTN/BATAN) are interested in cooperative works which include: joint development of standard curriculum for M.Sc. level in response to increased activities in nuclear research and nuclear power development, exchange of guest lecturers, and exchange of M.Sc. level students. With this cooperation, we want to put very special emphasis on nuclear human resources development (nuclear – HRD) in anticipation of the upcoming nuclear era.     

功率因数校正的数字化控制

高能加速器的电源系统是加速器最大的电能使用系统,提高加速器的运行效率和经济性一直是电源系统的目标。为提高开关电源的功率因数,在数字化开关稳流电源的基础上,设计了一种功率因数校正(PFC)的数字控制方案。重点阐述了基于硬件描述语言(VHDL)的数字控制环的算法、多通道模数转换器(ADC)的控制和脉宽调制(PWM)信号的产生,以及如何将其作为片上系统的用户外设。经测试表明,该方案有效地提高了开关电源的功率因数,达到了预期的设计目标。     

压水堆核电站含氚废水产生与排放

随着核能发展和环境保护的需要,核电站排氚的问题逐渐进入公众的视野。本文简要介绍了压水堆核电站氚的产生和释放机理,核电站运行时液态氚的排放情况,并对国内外法规标准进行了比较分析。通过上述分析,提出了对现有压水堆核电站含氚废液处理的需求。     

Innovative Nuclear Energy Systems and the Future of Nuclear Power

There is a renewed interest in nuclear power worldwide. The interest is sparked by concerns about global warming and security of energy supplies. In addition to the growing interest in building more reactors in countries that already have nuclear power, future demands for nuclear power are likely to include applications in countries that do not presently use nuclear power and applications beyond large-scale electricity generation. This paper will discuss some of the characteristics that future reactors will need to have to meet such demands, as well as other measures required to facilitate a nuclear renaissance. In addition, the emergence of new international nuclear initiatives and their potential roles will be described.     

Future potential of nuclear heat utilization in energy, economy and environment

In this study quantitative analyses are made to clarify the possible roles of S-HTGRs (Small-sized modular High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactors) in our future energy systems. The results obtained show the good possibility of S-HTGRs to compete economically with L-HTGRs (Large-sized HTGR) taking into account the effects of modularization, learning, mass production, and simplification of safety systems. In the electricity market, S-HTGRs can well compete with coal steam electric power and LWR electric power if they are located close to demand areas. In addition the high temperature nuclear heat from small-sized modular gas-cooled reactors has the potential of contributing to reduce the amount of imported fossil fuels and also SO₂, NO_x, and CO₂ emissions.