The Technological Demands of Nuclear Power

Abstract

This chapter discusses the technological demands of nuclear power. Nuclear technology must provide facilities that are economically and sufficiently reliable or repairable. It must achieve acceptably low probabilities for all events, which are the results of accidents or malign acts, particularly, those having the potential to cause significant numbers of deaths and injuries. Most of the special technological requirements are associated with the radioactive aspects of nuclear power. The costs of employing operating staff do not contribute in an important way to the cost of nuclear power. The important cost components are the raw materials—uranium—and the capital costs, performance, availability, and durability of the facilities. The capital costs of nuclear stations and of plant for the fuel cycle do not contribute important uncertainties in assessing the economic position of nuclear power. However, the relatively favorable economics have been forecast as a result of the use of plant of large unit size.