THE FIRST HALF CENTURY OF COMMERCIAL NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

Abstract

After five decades that the nuclear power industry has been in existence, it has matured and its share in the world energy supply is 16 %.The article provides a review of the development of nuclear technology during the past half century, with emphasis upon peaceful applications. The circumstances of the development and subsequent decline in the demand for electricity from nuclear power plants are analyzed from several aspects. The characteristics of the four generations of nuclear reactors, the sufficiency of the uranium reserves and nuclear fuel, the problem of the disposal of radioactive wastes, the safety and cost-effectiveness of nuclear power plants, and the proliferation of nuclear materials are also discussed. The chief advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy are analyzed in light of statements on the significant expansion of nuclear capacities.