The role of nuclear energy in 21st century for sustainable development in Korea

With the growing international consensus concerning the harmful health and environmental impact of fossil energy use, there is on the political level recognition of nuclear power's potential role in delivering large quantities of energy without releasing common environmental pollutants and greenhouse gases. The energy consumption in Korea has greatly increased with rapid economic growth and industrialization since 1970. The average annual growth rate was 8% in 1970s and more than 10% in 1980s and 1990s except during the '98 financial crisis.

Due to the lack of domestic energy resource bases, the rapid economic growth and industrialization has to be supported by the imported energy. Thus, the imported energy dependence of total energy supply has rapidly increased from 47.5% in 1970 to 97.5% in 1997. The fossil fuels share of energy consumption grew up to 88.2% in 1997. This resulted to CO2 emission of 140 million ton-C, which account for 1.8% of world greenhouse gases emission. (MOCIE, 2000) Because of rapid industrialization, Korea has relatively higher energy intensive industries compared to most of the developed countries with 3.1 ton-C/capita and 0.49 ton-C/million Won.

Thus, energy policy is being focused on the improvement of energy efficiency and optimum energy mix for the reduction of GHGs. At present, 16 units of Nuclear Power Plant are in operation, 6 units under construction. The nuclear share of electric power generation was 43% last year. This share will be increased up to more than 50% by 2015. In order to meet voluntary GHGs emission target, a drastic switching to non-carbon energy bases would be necessary.     

Are shocks to nuclear energy consumption per capita permanent or temporary? A global perspective

This paper aims to examine the integration properties of nuclear energy consumption per capita by applying the panel unit root test with structural breaks in 27 countries over the period 1993–2013. To obtain comprehensive and exhaustive information, we utilize the longitudinal clustering approach to segment the overall sample into four sub-samples. We find that for the overall sample, nuclear energy consumption is stationary, while two sub-samples contain unit roots. These results imply that shocks to global nuclear energy consumption will only result in temporary deviations from the long-run growth path; however, shocks have a permanent effect on nuclear energy consumption in two sub-samples. Several implications are provided: if shocks have a lasting effect on nuclear energy consumption, policy makers should design energy conservation and stabilization policies in these countries; otherwise, we do not intervene in the process of nuclear energy consumption.     

Roles and prospect of nuclear power in China's energy supply strategy

China's annual energy demand is expected to amount to 3360 million tons of oil equivalent (toe) in 2050, the target year for the nation's economic development to reach the level of medium-developed countries in the middle of this century. The future energy supply, doubtless to go through a substantial increase and necessary mix shift with potential significant environmental impacts, will continue to rely on the domestic sources with coal-dominance but diversified mixes, in which nuclear power makes up a reasonable share. The large-scale development of nuclear energy is essential and promising, with the total installed capacity expectedly over 200–300 GW around 2050, and will be an effective response measure to mitigate the energy-derived environmental pollution and guarantee the national energy security. China is a developing country with the largest population in the world. The energy production had achieved remarkable progress over the last half century, particularly since the initiatives of reform and opening to the outside world in the late 1970s, and energy demand to fuel the continued socio-economic growth has been largely met. The current energy consumption of China is 896 Mtoe (China Stat. Abs. (2001) 130), accounting for about 11% of the world's total, the second largest energy consumer in the globe. However, the energy supply will face even tougher challenges in terms of demand increase, mix shift and potential environmental impacts to be posed by a sustained fast-growing economy in light of China's blueprint for future development. With the switch-over from the centrally planned economy to the socialist market economy and the gradual integration of China's energy trade into the international markets, the imported crude oil in 2000 amounted to 70.265 Mt (Int. Petrol. Econ. 9 (2000) 5), about 3.5% of the global petroleum trade, the long-term energy security for China would have great regional and global implications. It is, therefore, of great significance to make a deep study of the role and prospect of nuclear power as an essential component of China's future energy mix, so as to develop a sound and sustainable energy security strategy.     

Prospective scenarios of nuclear energy evolution on the XXIst century over the world scale

Different world scenarios of nuclear energy development over the XXIst century are analyzed in this paper, by means of the EDF fuel cycle simulation code for nuclear scenario studies, TIRELIRE - STRATEGIE.Two nuclear demand scenarios are considered, and the performance of different nuclear strategies in satisfying these scenarios is analyzed and discussed, focusing on the maximum deployable capacity and the natural uranium consumption. Both thermal-spectrum systems (Pressurized Water Reactor, PWR, and High Temperature Gas-cooled Reactor, HTGR) and different designs of Fast Breeder Reactor (FBR) are investigated. A sensitivity analysis on the FBR deployment date, Breeding Gain and fuel cycle options is also presented.     

Role of nuclear energy in environment, economy, and energy issues of the 21st century – Growing energy demand in Asia and role of nuclear

The economic growth of recent Asia is rapid, and the GDP and the energy consumption growth rate are about 8–10% in China and India. The energy consumption forecast of Asia in this century was estimated based on the GDP growth rate by Goldman Sachs. As a result, about twice in India and Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) and about 1.5 times in China of SRES B (Special Report on Emission Scenarios) are forecasted. The simulation was done by Grape Code to analyze the impact of energy increase in Asia. As for the nuclear plant in Asia, it is expected 1500 GWe in 2050 and 2000 GWe in 2100, in the case of the environmental constrain. To achieve this nuclear utilization, there are two important aspects, technically and institutionally.

A. Development of the CANDLE core and/or the Breed and Burn core.

B. The establishment of the stable nuclear fuel supply system like “Asian nuclear fuel supply organization”.

The strategies of abating emission of CO2 and nuclear energy development in China

In China, annual coal consumption accounts for the first place all over the world in order to meet the high speed development of economy and improvement of the people's living quality. CO₂ emission from coal fire is a main contributor to the climate change. We must abate CO₂ emission besides developing economy for mitigating the global climate change. In the feasible countermeasure to reduce CO₂ emission, which includes improving energy efficiency and developing alternative energy, developing nuclear energy is an important one.     

Nuclear Fusion Energy—Mankind’s Giant Step Forward

Estimates of energy supply versus consumption indicate the middle of this century as the critical point when world energy supply will no longer keep pace with the demand. The demand grows inexorably because of both the world population growth as well as the growth of average per capita energy consumption. Technological and economic progress are closely correlated with per capita energy consumption. Hence the inadequacy of energy supplies will limit the progress of human civilization, stifling its soaring spirit. Conservationism, making incremental improvements in this situation, is completely inadequate. What is needed is a giant step—the development of a new, limitless, clean source of energy—nuclear fusion energy. Nuclear fusion technology, when perfected to fusion-burn only deuterium, will have a fuel supply lasting millions of year, even with continuing energy consumption growth as in the past. Intensive efforts in five decades of Tokamak research has advanced the fusion product up by 10⁷ times, to the point when breakeven is only a step away. The next step necessarily involves international collaboration on an unprecedented scale in ITER—the International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor, on which work has started in Cadarache France. ITER and later Demo are envisioned to bring online the first commercial nuclear fusion energy reactor by 2050. Using this as the starting point and the history of the uptake of nuclear fission reactors as a guide, a scenario is described here which depicts a not unreasonable rapid take up of nuclear fusion energy starting after the middle of this century. Just into the next century fusion energy should be able to take up the slack and allow Mankind to continue its progress and growth. Because the development of fusion energy is such a complex technological task it is probable that there will be several decades when the constraints of energy shortage will be severely felt as shown by the flattening of the energy consumption from around 2040 to 2100. Such a period of stagnation seems unavoidable even with the envisaged development and rapid adoption of fusion energy. On the other hand without nuclear fusion energy the scenario depicts a severe downturn unavoidably in the fortunes of Mankind with world population shrinking below 5 billion and eventually even lower.     

CO2 and the world energy system: the role of nuclear power

The greenhouse effect, and other transnational and global environment, health and safety issues, require energy system planning on an international scale. Consideration of equity between nations and regions, particularly between the industrialized and developing countries, is an essential ingredient. For the immediate future, the next several decades at least, fossil fuels will remain the predominant energy sources. More efficient use of energy seems to be the only feasible strategy for the near to mid-term to provide growing energy services for the world economy while moderating the increasing demand for fossil fuels. In the longer term, nonfossil sources are essential for a sustainable world energy system, and nuclear power can play an important, if not dominant, role. The challenge is to design and implement a safe and economic nuclear power world enterprise which is socially acceptable and is complimentary to other nonfossil sources. The elements of such an enterprise seem clear and include: much safer reactors, preferably passively safe, which can be deployed at various scales; development of economic resource extension technologies; effective and permanent waste management strategies; and strengthened safeguards against diversion of nuclear materials to weapons. All of these elements can best be developed as cooperative international efforts. In the process, institutional improvements are equally as important as technological improvements; the two must proceed hand-in-hand.     

Sustainable futures using nuclear energy

We present the role of nuclear energy in a sustainable future. This addresses the social, economic and environmental concerns of us all. Nuclear energy today avoids the emission of nearly two billion tonnes of greenhouse gases (GHGs) each year, thanks to over 400 reactors operating worldwide.

Nevertheless, there is no real recognition of real incentives for large-scale non-emitters like nuclear energy and for emissions avoidance in current Kyoto and other policies. These approaches rely heavily on conservation, renewables and efficiency. These measures alone also will not significantly reduce the atmospheric greenhouse burden, because the world is still growing. Also, our (the world's) future economic growth (in all countries) is tied to energy and electricity use. Our prosperity, the alleviation of poverty and the sustainability of the world depend on having a supply of emissions-free and safe energy.

Recent price hikes in fossil fuels and power blackouts also emphasize our need for reliable, safe and cheap power, as is offered by nuclear energy when coupled with effective and secure waste disposal.

A particularly important role for nuclear power in the future will be its links to the hydrogen economy. It is now recognised that the introduction of hydrogen into the transportation sector will benefit the environment only when low carbon sources, such as nuclear reactors, are the primary energy source for hydrogen production. The future could well be the Hydrogen Age. We show that a major reduction in GHGs worldwide can be obtained by nuclear-electric production of hydrogen, thus alleviating their potential effects on future generations. We also demonstrate a potential key synergism with renewable wind power in the hybrid production of distributed hydrogen. Thus, nuclear energy supports and enables the World in its journey to a sustainable, safe and secure energy future.     

聚变中子源驱动的次临界清洁核能系统──聚变能技术的早期应用途径

提出作为聚变能技术早期应用途径的聚变中子源驱动的清洁核能系统概念,并从国家的能源需求、国内外核电发展状况论述开发这种系统的必要性和意义,根据国内外聚变驱动器技术及次临界包层技术进展和国内多年的可行性研究结果,说明开发这种系统的现实性和基础。文中也给出了建议的发展进程。     

聚变中子源驱动的次临界清洁核能系统─聚变能技术的早期应用途径

提出作为聚变能技术早期应用途径的聚变中子源驱动的清洁核能系统概念,并从国家的能源需求、国内外核电发展状况论述开发这种系统的必要性和意义,根据国内外聚变驱动器技术及次临界包层技术进展和国内多年的可行性研究结果,说明开发这种系统的现实性和基础。文中也给出了建议的发展进程。     

Functions of low-capacity nuclear power plants in supplying energy

The development of low-capacity nuclear power plants (LCNPs) in our country and the world is reviewed. Examples of designs which have been implemented are examined. Modern designs developed in our country and abroad are presented and analyzed. The requirements which LCNPs must satisfy without on-site refueling are formulated. The prospects for developing low-capacity nuclear power plants to provide energy and economic security in remote regions of our country are examined. __________ Translated from Atomnaya énergiya, Vol. 102, No. 4, pp. 203–208, April, 2007.     

Intermediate energy light sources and the SSRF project

Advances in insertion device technology, top-up operation and superconducting RF cavities make it possible to generate high brightness X-ray with intermediate energy light sources, which leads a new trend in designing and constructing third generation light sources around the world. The development status and the remarkable technical features of intermediate energy light sources are reviewed, and the main SSRF properties are described in this paper.     

Global transportation scenarios in the multi-regional EFDA-TIMES energy model

The aim of this study is to assess the potential impact of the transportation sector on the role of fusion power in the energy system of the 21st century. Key indicators in this context are global passenger and freight transportation activities, consumption levels of fuels used for transportation purposes, the electricity generation mix and greenhouse gas emissions. These quantities are calculated by means of the global multi-regional EFDA-TIMES energy system model. For the present study a new transportation module has been linked to the EFDA-TIMES framework in order to arrive at a consistent projection of future transportation demands. Results are discussed implying various global energy scenarios including assumed crossovers of road transportation activities towards hydrogen or electricity infrastructures and atmospheric CO₂ concentration stabilization levels at 550 ppm and 450 ppm. Our results show that the penetration of fusion power plants is only slightly sensitive to transportation fuel choices but depends strongly on assumed climate policies. In the most stringent case considered here the contribution of electricity produced by fusion power plants can become as large as about 50% at the end of the 21st century. This statement, however, is still of preliminary nature as the EFDA-TIMES project has not yet reached a final status.     

第四代核能保障体系介绍

简要阐述了第四代核能系统的特点,介绍了国内外第四代核能系统研究的进展情况。针对国内第四代核能系统研发现状,分析了当前存在的问题,提出了紧跟世界核能发展步伐的第四代核能系统开发保障体系建议。     

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.     

Expected role of nuclear science and technology to support the sustainable supply of energy in Indonesia

Energy resources are available in Indonesia but small per capita. The increase of oil price and its reserve depletion rate dictates to decrease the oil consumption. Therefore, it is imperative to increase the shares of other fossils as well as the new and renewable sources of energy in various energy sectors substituting the oil. The introduction of nuclear power plant becomes more indispensable, although the share is to be small but significantly important for electric generation in Java–Madura–Bali grid. Nuclear technology can have also important role enabling the increase of the shares of renewable, e.g. geothermal, hydro and bio-fuels as well as fossil energies to meet more sustainable energy mix sufficing the energy demand to attain intended economic and population growths while maintaining the environment. The first introduced nuclear power plant is to be the proven ones, but the innovative nuclear energy systems being developed by various countries will eventually also be partially employed to further improve the sustainability. The nuclear science and technology are to be symbiotic and synergistic to other sources of energy to enhance the sustainable supply of energy.     

Isotope separation methods for self-consistent nuclear energy system

It is known that for transmutation of fission products(FPs) in the concept of self-consistent nuclear energy system(SCNES) based on fast neutron reactor it is necessary to apply isotope separation of some FPs to keep neutron balance (to decrease parasitic capture of neutrons by stable isotopes). It is a question whether such FPs isotope separation can be feasible or not within amount of nuclear fission energy production. So it is necessary to consider isotopic content of FPs after fast reactor and to choose energetically appropriate isotope separation method for each radioactive FPs taking into account safe radioactivity level of FPs. In this paper we discuss about isotope separation method for SCNES. Isotopic composition of FPs was calculated using tables of fission yields from ²³⁹Pu fission. It isshown that concentrations of radioactive isotope in the main FPs to be isotopically separated are significant and vary from 2% in ruthenium up to 74% in iodine. We consider new isotope separation methods developed recently such as plasma separation process (PSP) based on selective ion cyclotron resonance heating and atomic vapor laser isotope separation (AVLIS) as a possible candidates. It seems to be energetically profitable to combine various methods to achieve desired separation characteristics. Since the most of FPs have a high initial concentration of radioactive isotope, PSP method seems to be a good candidate for first stages of separation process. We consider the main parts of energy expenditure in one PSP module and its separation characteristics. Estimations of energy consumption in multistage isotope separation process of FPs give maximum value 100keV/fiss. using PSP only and 3MeV/fiss. using AVLIS only. We can significantly decrease these values using AVLIS after PSP when concentration of target isotope in separation cascade will become sufficiently low. We can affirm that energy consumption in isotope separation of FPs is less than 60 MeV of electricity per one fission in nuclear reactor.     

基于LabVIEW的高能量分辨谱仪数据采集系统

在上海光源BL14W1线站,成功搭建一套基于Lab VIEW的高能量分辨谱仪运动控制和数据采集系统,该光谱仪系统可以实现高能量分辨荧光探测X射线吸收谱(High Energy Resolution Fluorescence Detected X-ray Absorption Spectroscopy,HERFD-XAS)、X射线发射谱(X-ray Emission Spectroscopy,XES)和共振X射线发射谱(Resonant X-ray Emission Spectroscopy,RXES)等主要实验功能,分辨率达到亚电子伏。硬件系统采用上海光源统一的VME运动控制硬件系统和硅漂移固体探测器;软件系统采用Lab VIEW编写用户操作界面,利用DSC(Data logging and Supervisory Control Module)模块实现与运动控制使用的实验与物理工业控制系统(Experimental and Physics Industrial Control System,EPICS)系统的数据交换。利用基于该运动控制和数据采集系统的光谱仪,开展了Mn化合物和Th O2锕系化合物的实验。结果表明,该系统可以满足高能量分辨率实验的需求。     

Present status of energy in Japan and HTTR project

An amount of primary energy supply in Japan is increasing year by year. Much energy such as oil, coal and natural gas is imported so that the self-sufficiency ratio in Japan is only 20% even if including nuclear energy. An amount of energy consumption is also increasing especially in commercial and resident sector and transport sector. As a result, a large amount of greenhouse gas was emitted into the environment. Nuclear energy plays the important role in energy supply in Japan.Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI) has been carried out research and development of a hydrogen production system using a high temperature gas cooled reactor (HTGR). The HTTR project aims at the establishment of the HTGR hydrogen production system. Reactor technology of the HTGR, hydrogen production technology with thermochemical water splitting process and system integration technology between the HTGR and a hydrogen production plant are developed in the HTTR project.