Sustainable futures using nuclear energy

The global energy sector is undergoing a profound transformation in response to the dual need to combat climate change and ensure sustainable economic growth. China is the world’s largest consumer of electricity, and its electricity demand is increasing dramatically. Nuclear power generation has become an important option for achieving science-based carbon reduction. As a clean, low-carbon, safe and efficient energy source, nuclear energy plays an important role in guaranteeing energy security, promoting energy transformation, and contributing to the realization of the goals of “carbon peaking”, “carbon neutrality” and combating climate change. In this paper, we discuss the development trajectory of nuclear energy in China, its current contribution to achieving carbon neutrality in China’s energy transition, and the future prospects and challenges of nuclear energy technology. Through this comprehensive analysis, we argue that nuclear energy will continue to play an indispensable role in China’s quest for a sustainable and secure energy future.

A particularly important role for nuclear power in the future will be in alleviating the potential for climate change by avoiding greenhouse and particulate emissions. The corollary is the key link to the hydrogen economy, where 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 greenhouse emissions worldwide can be obtained by synergistic nuclear-electric-renewable production of hydrogen, thus alleviating potential effects on future generations. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

The growing economic empowerment of an increasing part of the world’s population and small amount of carbon space available, necessitates a quick shift to non-fossil energy sources that are large enough to meet future energy requirements. Apart from electricity, energy in fluid form, derived through non-fossil means is also needed. It is, thus, important to progressively replace fossil fuels and increase the share of nuclear and solar power in the overall energy mix. For expansion of nuclear capacity, it is important to squarely address various fears associated with nuclear energy by eliminating the possibility of any adverse impact in the public domain. Since time is running out, we need to explore how to achieve this objective through reconfiguration of available technologies even as we develop new technologies specifically for the purpose. This paper argues that the use of thorium, together with innovative reactor designs such as that of the advanced heavy water reactor (AHWR), under development in India can, by and large, eliminate many of the perceived risks associated with nuclear energy. In the long run, a mix of advanced technologies such as molten salt reactors, accelerator-driven systems, and fast reactors will be necessary to sustain nuclear energy.

As described in the Department of Energy Office of Nuclear Energy’s Nuclear Energy R&D Roadmap, nuclear energy can play a significant role in supplying energy for a growing economy while reducing both our dependence on foreign energy supplies and emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. The industrial and transportation sectors are responsible for more than half of the greenhouse gas emissions in the U.S., and imported oil supplies 70% of the energy used in the transportation sector. It is therefore important to examine the various ways nuclear energy can facilitate a transition away from fossil fuels to secure environmentally sustainable production and use of energy in the transportation and manufacturing industry sectors. Imperative 3 of the Nuclear Energy R&D Roadmap, entitled “Enable a Transition Away from Fossil Fuels by Producing Process Heat for use in the Transportation and Industrial Sectors”, addresses this need. This document presents an Implementation Plan for R&D efforts related to this imperative. The expanded use of nuclear energy beyond the electrical grid will contribute significantly to overcoming the three inter-linked energy challenges facing U.S. industry: the rising and volatile prices for premium fossil fuels such as oil and natural gas, dependence on foreign sources for these fuels, and the risks of climate change resulting from carbon emissions. Nuclear energy could be used in the industrial and transportation sectors to: • Generate high temperature process heat and electricity to serve industrial needs including the production of chemical feedstocks for use in manufacturing premium fuels and fertilizer products, • Produce hydrogen for industrial processes and transportation fuels, and • Provide clean water for human consumption by desalination and promote wastewater treatment using low-grade nuclear heat as a useful additional benefit. Opening new avenues for nuclear energy will significantly enhance our nation’s energy security through more effective utilization of our country’s resources while simultaneously providing economic stability and growth (through predictable energy prices and high value jobs), in an environmentally sustainable and secure manner (through lower land and water use, and decreased byproduct emissions). The reduction in imported oil will also increase the retention of wealth within the U.S. economy while still supporting economic growth. Nuclear energy is the only non-fossil fuel that has been demonstrated to reliably supply energy for a growing industrial economy.

Navigating towards a sustainable future, this paper meticulously reviews diverse studies, exploring the intricate dynamics of transitioning to 100% solar energy in smart cities, whilst particularly scrutinising land requirements. The studies, set against varied geographical and socioeconomic backdrops, delve into the technical and economic feasibility, alongside environmental repercussions of a wholesale shift towards renewable energy in urban environments. For example, a detailed exploration of Delhi’s multi-sectoral energy transition pathway unveils potential in slashing primary energy and costs, mitigating greenhouse gas emissions, and bolstering the energy job sector. Another study elucidates a methodology for crafting Smart Energy Cities, exemplified by Aalborg’s transition within Denmark’s 100% renewable energy framework. Additionally, an examination of the economic and environmental performance of renewable energy systems in diverse Chinese residential communities highlights the predominance of solar energy and biomass, revealing disparities in investment recovery and emission reductions. Collectively, these studies illuminate the multifaceted aspects of renewable energy transitions in urban contexts, steering towards a globally sustainable, efficient, and secure energy future.

Nuclear energy is safe efficient zero carbon energy. With the proposal of the national double carbon goal, nuclear energy is developing from single power generation to multi-purpose utilization. The comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy will become an innovative breakthrough in nuclear energy development. This paper expounds on the development status of different energy sources in China and the development technical path of nuclear energy, lists the policy suggestions related to the comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy, focuses on the forms and key technologies of comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy, such as nuclear heating, nuclear desalination, nuclear steam supply, nuclear hydrogen production, nuclear and renewable energy coupling, and constructs a representative scenario of comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy. In addition, the opportunities and challenges faced by the current comprehensive utilization of nuclear energy and the future development direction are summarized and prospected.

Shaping a secure and sustainable energy future may require a set of transformations in the global energy sector. Although several studies have recognized the importance of Electric Vehicles (EVs) for power systems, no large-scale studies have been performed to assess the impact of this technology in energy systems combining a diverse set of renewable energies for electricity production and biofuels in the transportation sector such as the case of Brazil. This research makes several noteworthy contributions to the current literature, including not only the evaluation of the main impacts of EVs’ penetration in a renewable electricity system but also a Life-Cycle Assessment (LCA) that estimates the overall level of CO2 emissions resulted from the EVs integration. Findings of this study indicated a clear positive effect of increasing the share of EVs on reducing the overall level of CO2 emissions. This is, however, highly dependent on the share of Renewable Energy Sources (RES) in the power system and the use of biofuels in the transport sector but also on the credits resulting from the battery recycling materials credit and battery reuse credit. Our conclusions underline the importance of such studies in providing support for the governmental discussions regarding potential synergies in the use of bioresources between transport and electricity sectors.

The United States is facing unprecedented challenges in climate change and energy security. President-elect Obama has called for a reduction of CO2 emissions to 1990 levels by 2020, with a further 80% reduction by 2050. Meeting these aggressive goals while gradually increasing the overall energy supply requires that all non-emitting technologies must be advanced. The development and deployment of nuclear energy can, in fact, help the United States meet several key challenges: 1) Increase the electricity generated by non-emitting sources to mitigate climate change, 2) Foster the safe and proliferation-resistant use of nuclear energy throughout the world, 3) Reduce the transportation sector’s dependence on imported fossil fuels, and 4) Reduce the demand on natural gas for process heat and hydrogen production. However, because of the scale, cost, and time horizons involved, 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. This report outlines the significant nuclear energy research and development (R&D) necessary to create options that will allow government and industrial decision-makers to set policies and create nuclear energy initiatives that are decisive and sustainable. The nuclear energy R&D strategy described in this report adopts the following vision: Safe and economical nuclear energy in the United States will expand to address future electric and non-electric needs, significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and provide energy diversity, while providing leadership for safe, secure and responsible expansion of nuclear energy internationally.

Increased population growth and economic development are accelerating the rate at which energy, and in particular electrical energy is being demanded. All methods of electricity generation have consequences for the environment so meeting this growth in demand while safeguarding the environment poses a growing challenge. Many nations, now conscious of the impact of industry on the environment, are seeking ways to preserve more of the world's natural capital for future generations. There will always be a conflict between the provision of vital goods and services, such as electricity, and the implications for the environment. Energy is an essential element in the debate about sustainable development and how to achieve it. There is a strong correlation between people's standard of living-measured by gross national product per capita-and energy consumption. Informed decision-making can lead to a more sustainable energy future and a cleaner environment. This paper examines how the world's voracious demands for energy may be made more consistent with this concept of sustainable development. In particular the role that nuclear power might play in filling the growing gap between what the world wants to consume in terms of energy and what the environment tells us we can sustain is considered.

A novel incremental ensemble learning for real-time explainable forecasting of electricity price

The main values of SPE are providing our members with the latest advancements in all petroleum engineering technical disciplines and enabling professional development throughout their careers from university until retirement. This is achieved through the programs and services SPE offers to us, members, and evolves with the industry and technology. That necessitates that the SPE Board of Directors update the Society’s Strategic Plan as needed. Recently, updating the Strategic Plan has been done about every 5 years. The last exercise to that effect started in June 2022, and the final version was approved during the most recent Board meeting in January 2023. We engaged a consultant to help guide us through the process, and reached out to members in many ways to gather their feedback on challenges and future directions: - One-on-one virtual interviews with members of the SPE Foundation Board of Trustees, members, and chairs of SPE committees, industry members/key sponsors, academia, and SPE section leaders - Focus groups with members including past presidents, advisory councils, young professionals, and academicians - SPE Connect General Discussion community where questions were posted for member feedback - Online survey with mostly open-ended questions that was advertised to all members through JPT, monthly and publication newsletters, and on SPE.org - Session at ATCE where attendees could ask questions and make comments Here are the main results of this work. The entire Strategic Plan can be found here. The core purpose of SPE is to provide shared expertise, resources, and lifelong learning opportunities to fuel the success of our members and the future of the industry. Our mission is to connect a global community of engineers, scientists, and related energy professionals to exchange knowledge, innovate, and advance their technical and professional competence regarding the exploration, development, and production of oil and gas and related energy resources to achieve a safe, secure, and sustainable energy future. SPE is committed to these core values: - Technical Excellence and Professionalism—committed to innovation, lifelong learning, and the highest standards of professional conduct and expertise - Member Focus—consistently provide accessible, relevant resources to help members thrive in the ever-evolving energy industry - Global Scale and Local Relevance—leverage insights and resources to better serve members’ needs both globally and locally - Collaboration—dedicated to knowledge dissemination and exchange to solve complex problems through internal and external networking and volunteer opportunities - Diversity and Inclusion—a community that embraces diversity and inclusion as essential to the success of our industry and society - Environmental and Social Stewardship—leadership to achieve a safe, secure, and sustainable energy future SPE’s vision is to advance the oil- and gas-producing and related energy communities’ ability to meet the world’s energy needs in a safe, secure, and sustainable manner.

ABSTRACTCombatting climate change and ensuring energy security require diversification of energy profiles through alternative resources, with nuclear energy being the most controversial one. Although the preferences among its members differ, the EU offers a specific legal and practical framework for nuclear energy. Turkey, on the other hand, emerges as a ‘newcomer’ in the nuclear energy field, revealing a need for policy learning for safe and secure nuclear energy generation. This research focuses on the Europeanization of Turkey’s nuclear policy to trace whether a strategic or social learning takes place within the nuclear energy framework. The analysis also questions to what extent the EU and Turkey’s framing of nuclear energy coincides or diverges with reference to the climate change.

Kicking the Oil Addiction

Development and outlook of advanced nuclear energy technology

High Temperature Gas Reactor (HTGR) technology can play an important role in the United States’ energy future by extending the use of nuclear energy for non-electricity energy production missions as well as continuing to provide a considerable base load electric power generation capability. Extending nuclear energy into the industrial and transportation sectors through the co-production of process heat and electricity provides safe and reliable energy for these sectors in an environmentally responsible manner. The safety case for the modular HTGR provides a substantial improvement in nuclear plant safety for the protection of the public and the environment, and supports collocation of the HTGR with major industrial facilities. The NGNP Project at the Idaho National Laboratory has been working toward an objective of commercializing the HTGR technology under DOE direction since 2006. The Project is undergoing a quantum shift in direction and scope as a result of recent DOE decisions. This paper summarizes where the Project has been, where it is at the time of this writing and what is needed in future activities to commercialize HTGR technology.