Environmental and Economic Efficiency of Nuclear Projects

Abstract

AbstractAn analysis of environmental and economic efficiency, risks, and prospects for the development of energy based on various types of energy carriers, starting from the 1960s, is carried out. It is shown that the decline in the share of nuclear power in the global energy balance cannot yet be compensated by renewable energy sources and leads to an increase in the use of fossil energy carriers. It is concluded that in order to achieve sustainable development of non-carbon energy, it is necessary to develop renewable and nuclear energy where the risks of environmental consequences of energy production are minimal. The purpose of this work is to identify and compare the role of nuclear power plants (NPPs) and various types of renewable energy sources (RES) in the formation of a non-carbon energy system, the growth of ecological and economic efficiency and to analyze the risks and prospects for the development of multipolar energy. Based on statistical and analytical data, this article examines the dynamics of global non-carbon energy development in the second half of the year XX—the beginning XXI V., comparative assessment of trends and patterns of development, correlation of nuclear power development with changes in environmental parameters and environmental efficiency of various types of energy. Comparative estimates of the economic efficiency of energy based on various energy sources are presented, with a discussion of uncertainties and risks in relation to nuclear power plants and renewable energy sources and their impact on the prospects for the development of energy based on non-carbon energy sources. A comparative assessment of the economic and environmental-economic parameters of nuclear and RES power plants indicates the continued high competitiveness of nuclear power plants both in the economic sense and in terms of minimizing environmental damage. The identified trends and analysis of environmental and economic indicators indicate that nuclear energy is a necessary component, along with renewable energy, of the process of transition to a non-carbon regime and reducing risks to the environment. Analysis of data from the last 50–55 years and current trends indicates the feasibility of developing both renewable and nuclear energy on the basis of mutual complementarity rather than confrontation.KeywordsEnergy policyRenewable energy sourcesTechnological innovationsNuclear energy