Nuclear Power Scenario Research Articles

Research on Electromagnetic Interference Protection of Nuclear Power Unit Equipment Under the Application of New Wireless Technology in Smart Nuclear Power

Abstract Intelligence is the trend of industrial development in today’s world, which will inevitably affect the nuclear power field, thus promoting nuclear power industry from digital to intelligent forward. 5G and Wi-Fi6, as a new generation of wireless communication technologies, have important advantages in terms of technical performance and security due to the characteristics of dense personnel, wide equipment distribution, complex facility environment, and special materials used in nuclear power scenarios. Considering the high requirement of electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) in nuclear power environment, it is urgent to further study the electromagnetic interference and protection requirements of 5G, Wi-Fi6, and other new technologies on nuclear power unit equipment in nuclear power environment. In this paper, combined with relevant national document standards and industry standards, we will sort out the requirements of immunity about radiofrequency radiation (RFR) for the important equipment in nuclear power plants, and use signal generators to simulate new radio signals such as 5G and Wi-Fi6 to test the immunity of nuclear power instruments and meters. Combining the results of the test, we will study the EMC between new wireless technologies and nuclear power plant equipment from different factors, such as power, bandwidth, modulation, distance, and direction. And then, we will summarize the protection requirements about nuclear power equipment and propose interference protection measures.

Comparative study of a stationary two-component nuclear energy system with light water and fast breeder reactors versus one-component one with self-sufficient non-breeding fast neutron reactors

Russia is currently in its initial phase of transitioning to a two-component nuclear power structure, consisting of nuclear power plants with thermal and fast reactors operating in a closed nuclear fuel cycle. Alternative approaches to closing the nuclear fuel cycle often have different assumptions regarding the role of fast reactors in this new structure. They can either imply that fast reactors are self-sufficient and are economically viable in such a way, that they can completely replace existing thermal reactor technology, or that they are used for breeding fuel for the whole nuclear energy system and are essentially complementary to VVER reactors in a permanent two component symbiotic structure. The results of this study show that nuclear power scenarios favoring the development of a large-scale fast reactor fleet with a breeding ratio ∼1 without any additional VVER type component in the nuclear power structure is optimal from an economic standpoint.

Comparative Assessment of the Environmental Impacts of Hydro-Electric, Nuclear and Wind Power Plants in China: Life Cycle Considerations.

In this study, the environmental impacts of hydropower generation, nuclear and wind are analyzed, assessed and compared in the China through a comprehensive life cycle assessment approach. The upstream, operation and downstream phases during the life cycle of these power generation methods are included. The output emissions inventoried in the study are carbon dioxide(CO2), sulphur oxides(SOX), nitrogen oxides(NOX), carbon monoxide(CO) and total particulate matters(TPM). The environmental impacts included are Global Warming Potential(GWP), Acidification Potential(AP), Eutrophication Potential(EP), Photochemical Ozone Creation Potential(POCP) and Human Toxicity Potential(HTP). Wind power is found to have a life cycle GWP of 30.6 g CO2-eq/kWh, which is comparatively higher than nuclear (11.8 g CO2-eq/kWh) and Hydro reservoir facilities life cycles (3.92g CO2-eq/kWh). Hydropower is found to have substantially low impacts, when compares with other environmental impact categories, such as AP and POCP in consideration. This indicates that, Greenhouse Gas(GHG) emissions are not the only sufficient indicators to describe the environmental performance of any product system. Wind power life cycle contributed most significantly to acidification, and this is mainly attributed to the operation phase of the life cycle. Hence, the development of more environmentally management methods is suggested. In the application of a nuclear power scenario, both upstream and decommissioning phases are identified as major contributors to environmental impacts.

The Lancet Countdown on health benefits from the UK Climate Change Act: a modelling study for Great Britain

Climate change poses a dangerous and immediate threat to the health of populations in the UK and worldwide. We aimed to model different scenarios to assess the health co-benefits that result from mitigation actions. In this modelling study, we combined a detailed techno-economic energy systems model (UK TIMES), air pollutant emission inventories, a sophisticated air pollution model (Community Multi-scale Air Quality), and previously published associations between concentrations and health outcomes. We used four scenarios and focused on the air pollution implications from fine particulate matter (PM2·5), nitrogen dioxide (NO2) and ozone. The four scenarios were baseline, which assumed no further climate actions beyond those already achieved and did not meet the UK's Climate Change Act (at least an 80% reduction in carbon dioxide equivalent emissions by 2050 compared with 1990) target; nuclear power, which met the Climate Change Act target with a limited increase in nuclear power; low-greenhouse gas, which met the Climate Change Act target without any policy constraint on nuclear build; and a constant scenario that held 2011 air pollutant concentrations constant until 2050. We predicted the health and economic impacts from air pollution for the scenarios until 2050, and the inequalities in exposure across different socioeconomic groups. NO2 concentrations declined leading to 4 892 000 life-years saved for the nuclear power scenario and 7 178 000 life-years saved for the low-greenhouse gas scenario from 2011 to 2154. However, the associations that we used might overestimate the effects of NO2 itself. PM2·5 concentrations in Great Britain are predicted to decrease between 42% and 44% by 2050 compared with 2011 in the scenarios that met the Climate Change Act targets, especially those from road traffic and off-road machinery. These reductions in PM2·5 are tempered by a 2035 peak (and subsequent decline) in biomass (wood burning), and by a large, projected increase in future demand for transport leading to potential increases in non-exhaust particulate matter emissions. The potential use of biomass in poorly controlled technologies to meet the Climate Change Act commitments would represent an important missed opportunity (resulting in 472 000 more life-years lost from PM2·5 in the low-greenhouse gas scenario and 1 122 000 more life-years lost in the nuclear power scenario from PM2·5 than the baseline scenario). Although substantial overall improvements in absolute amounts of exposure are seen compared with 2011, these outcomes mask the fact that health inequalities seen (in which socioeconomically disadvantaged populations are among the most exposed) are projected to be maintained up to 2050. The modelling infrastructure created will help future researchers explore a wider range of climate policy scenarios, including local, European, and global scenarios. The need to strengthen the links between climate change policy objectives and public health imperatives, and the benefits to societal wellbeing that might result is urgent. National Institute for Health Research.

Comparative assessment of the environmental impacts of nuclear, wind and hydro-electric power plants in Ontario: A life cycle assessment

In this study, we analyze, assess and compare the environmental impacts of nuclear, wind and hydro power generation in the province of Ontario, Canada through a comprehensive life cycle assessment approach. The upstream, downstream and operation phases during the life cycle of these power generation methods are included. The output emissions inventoried in the study are carbon dioxide, methane, sulphur oxides, nitrogen oxides and total particulate matter. The CML 2001 impact assessment methodology is utilized for impact assessment. The environmental impacts included are global warming potential, acidification potential, eutrophication potential, photochemical ozone creation potential and human toxicity potential. Hydro reservoir facilities with bio mass decay are found to have a life cycle GWP100 of 15.2 g CO2-eq/kWh, which is comparatively higher than wind (12.05 g CO2-eq/kWh) and nuclear power life cycles (3.402 g CO2-eq/kWh). However, hydropower is found to have substantially low impacts when other environmental impact categories, such as acidification potential, eutrophication potential, photochemical ozone creation potential and human toxicity potential are considered. This indicates only greenhouse gas emissions are not sufficient to describe the environmental performance of any product system. Wind power life cycle contributed most significantly to acidification, eutrophication, photochemical ozone creation and human toxicity potentials. This is mainly attributed to the construction phase of the life cycle. Hence, development of more environmentally benign wind turbine construction methods is suggested. For the nuclear power scenario, both upstream and decommissioning phases are identified as major contributors to environmental impacts.

Feasibility Study of the Post-2020 Commitment to the Power Generation Sector in South Korea

We analyze the economic effects of greenhouse gases (GHG) reduction measures of the generation sector of South Korea to accomplish the 2030 GHG reduction target using a scenario-based approach. We estimate the GHG emission of the South Korean power industry in 2030 based on both the 7th Electricity Supply and Demand Plan and the GHG emission coefficients issued by the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). We establish four scenarios for reduction measures by replacing the coal-fired power plants with nuclear power, renewable energy and carbon capture and storage, and liquefied natural gas (LNG) combined cycle generation. Finally, the nuclear power scenario demonstrates the most positive measure in terms of GHG reduction and economic effects.

Post-2020 신기후체제의 발전부문 대응에 따른 경제적 파급효과 분석

본 논문은 최근 공표된 Post-2020 신기후체제의 국가적 대응에 따른 발전부문의 역할들을 시나리오로 설정하여 경제적 파급효과를 비교 분석 하였다. 이를 위해 제7차 전력수급기본계획에서 제시한 2030년 발전원별 추정 발전량에 IAEA에서 발표한 온실가스 배출계수를 적용하여 온실가스 배출량을 예측하여 발전부문에서 발생시키는 초과 배출량을 산정하였다. 초과 배출량 감축을 위해 세 가지 시나리오를 기반으로 하였으며, 이들은 원자력발전소로 대체, 신재생발전설비 확대, CCS 도입 등이다. 분석 결과 원자력 발전소 대체 시나리오가 배출량 감소 및 경제적인 측면에서 가장 긍정적인 결과를 보였다. We analyze economic effects of GHG reduction measures of the generation industry to meet 2030 GHG reduction target using the scenario based approach. We estimate the GHG emission of the Korean power industry in 2030 based on both the <TEX>$7^{th}$</TEX> Electricity Supply & Demand Plan and the GHG emission coefficients issued by IAEA. We set up three scenarios for reduction measures by replacing the coal fired plants with nuclear power, renewable energy and carbon capture and storage. Once and for all, the nuclear power scenario dominates the other energy technologies in terms of GHG reduction quantities and economic effects.

A computable general equilibrium assessment of Japan’s nuclear energy policy and implications for renewable energy

This study assesses the economic and environmental impacts of Japan’s nuclear power scenarios and examines the implications for renewable energy. To assess nuclear power scenarios, we use the following three scenarios: “new policy scenario” of the International Energy Agency as a reference; a 40-year operational time limit of nuclear power plants; and no restart of nuclear power plants. For all scenarios, renewable energy with feed-in tariffs is considered. In addition, to assess the impact on the international competitiveness of Japanese industry, we construct a multi-regional, recursive dynamic computable general equilibrium model based on version 8.1 of the Global Trade Analysis Project database. Compared to the reference scenario, the other two scenarios increase CO2 emissions through an increase in fossil fuel electricity generation and decreases Japan’s real gross domestic product, although renewable energy supply also increases. In particular, a nuclear power phase-out negatively impacts Japan’s energy-intensive and trade-exposed sectors. However, our model does not consider externalities from fossil fuel usage and nuclear risk. The results of this simulation study represent the first step in answering important questions on energy policy but further research on externalities of fossil fuel and nuclear power usage should be conducted.

Review of Japan's power generation scenarios in light of the Fukushima nuclear accident

Following on from the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant accident, the Japanese government is now in the throes of reviewing its power policy. Under continuing policies of economic revival and greenhouse gas reduction, it is crucial to consider scenarios for the country to realize reliable, low-carbon, and economic electricity systems in the future. On the other hand, the social acceptance of nuclear power will affect the final political decision significantly. Therefore, in the present study, proposed power generation scenarios in Japan in light of the Fukushima accident were reviewed comprehensively from economic, environmental, technological, resource, security, and social perspectives. The review concludes that in Japan, (i) renewable energy mainly solar and wind needs to be developed as fast as possible subject to various constraints, (ii) more gas power plants will be used to absorb the fluctuations of intermittent renewable energy and supply electricity gap, (iii) nuclear power will be reduced in the future, but a 0% nuclear power scenario by 2030 is unlikely to be a reasonable choice on most measures and (iv) the effective communication with the public is vital important.

Evaluating options for sustainable energy mixes in South Korea using scenario analysis

To mitigate greenhouse gas emissions, coal-fired electricity infrastructure needs to be replaced by low-carbon electricity generation options. Here we examine a range of possible alternative scenarios for sustainable electricity generation in South Korea, considering both physical and economic limits of current technologies. The results show that South Korea cannot achieve a 100% renewable energy mix and requires at least 55 GW of backup capacity. Given that constraint, we modelled seven scenarios: (i) the present condition, (ii) the First National Electricity Plan configuration, (iii) renewable energy (including 5 GW photovoltaic) with fuel cells or (iv) natural gas backup, (v) maximum renewable energy (including 75 GW photovoltaic) with natural gas, (vi) maximum nuclear power, and (vii) nuclear power with natural gas. We then quantify levelised cost of electricity, energy security, greenhouse gas emissions, fresh water consumption, heated water discharge, land transformation, air pollutant emissions, radioactive waste disposal, solid waste disposal and safety issues for each modelled mix. Our analysis shows that the maximum nuclear power scenario yields the fewest overall negative impacts, and the maximum renewable energy scenario with fuel cells would have the highest negative impacts.

Economic and environmental analysis of power generation expansion in Japan considering Fukushima nuclear accident using a multi-objective optimization model

Nuclear power has long been a cornerstone of energy policy in Japan, a country with few natural resources of its own. However, following on from the Fukushima Daiichi accident, the Japanese government is now in the throes of reviewing its nuclear power policy. On the other hand, under continuing policies of greenhouse gas reduction, it is crucial to consider scenarios for the country to realize an economic, safe and low-carbon power generation system in the future. Therefore, in the present study, economic and environmental analysis was conducted on the power generation system in Japan up to 2030 using a multi-objective optimization methodology. Four nuclear power scenarios were proposed in light of the nuclear accident: (1) actively anti-nuclear; (2) passively negative towards nuclear; (3) conservative towards nuclear; and (4) active expansion of nuclear power. The obtained capacity mix, generation mix, generation cost, CO2 emissions and fuel consumption of the scenarios were compared and analysed. The obtained results show that the large scale penetration of PV (photovoltaic), wind and LNG (Liquefied Natural Gas) power can partly replace nuclear power, however, removing nuclear power entirely was not suggested from economic, environmental and energy security perspectives.

A methodology for the assessment of nuclear power development scenario

The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has initiated an International Project on Innovative Nuclear Reactors and Fuel Cycles (INPRO) in the year 2000. The main objective of INPRO is to help the world community to ensure that clean and safe nuclear energy is available to contribute in fulfilling the energy needs in the 21st century in a sustainable manner. This paper demonstrates a methodology as an application of INPRO assessment for constructing nuclear power development scenarios by the use of IAEA energy optimisation models MESSAGE and DESAE. The scenario for the overall growth of energy and electricity in India is considered as a case study since for several decades India is vigorously pursuing nuclear power development program to meet its growing energy needs. It is evident from this study that in order to develop a realistic nuclear power scenario, it is necessary to generate an overall energy and electricity scenario at first. Within the overall energy-electricity picture it can be envisaged how the nuclear power technology would contribute to supply the future energy needs.

Evaluation of lifecycle CO 2 emissions from the Japanese electric power sector in the 21st century under various nuclear scenarios

The status and prospects of the development of Japanese nuclear power are controversial and uncertain. Many deem that nuclear power can play key roles in both supplying energy and abating CO 2 emissions; however, due to severe nuclear accidents, public acceptance of nuclear power in Japan has not been fully obtained. Moreover, deregulation and liberalization of the electricity market impose pressure on large Japanese electric power companies with regard to both the operation of nuclear power plants and the development of the nuclear fuel cycle. Long-term Japanese CO 2 reduction strategies up to 2100 are of environmental concern and are socially demanded under the circumstances described above. Taking these factors into account, we set the following two objectives for this study. One is to estimate lifecycle CO 2 (LCCO 2) emissions from Japanese nuclear power, and the other is to evaluate CO 2 emissions from the Japanese electric power sector in the 21st century by quantifying the relationship between LCCO 2 emissions and scenarios for the adoption of nuclear power. In the pursuit of the above objectives, we first create four scenarios of Japanese adoption of nuclear power, that range from nuclear power promotion to phase-out. Next, we formulate four scenarios describing the mix of the total electricity supply in Japan till the year 2100 corresponding to each of these nuclear power scenarios. CO 2 emissions from the electric power sector in Japan till the year 2100 are estimated by summing those generated by each respective electric power technology and LCCO 2 emission intensity. The LCCO 2 emission intensity of nuclear power for both light water reactors (LWR) and fast breeder reactors (FBR) includes the uranium fuel production chain, facility construction/operation/decommission, and spent fuel processing/disposal. From our investigations, we conclude that the promotion of nuclear power is clearly a strong option for reducing CO 2 emissions by the electric power sector. The introduction of FBR has the effect of further reducing CO 2 emissions in the nuclear power sector. Meeting energy demand and reducing CO 2 emissions while phasing out nuclear power appears challenging given its importance in the Japanese energy supply.

Long term nuclear power role under CO 2 emission constraint

Global environmental issue including climate change is one of the important factors to outlook the 21st century energy mix. Future greenhouse gases emissions trajectory, such as CO2 emissions, has close relationship with nuclear power scenario. Therefore, nuclear power options consideration including phase out and continuous operation should be assessed under international CO2 emissions constraint. Simulations concerning energy sector behavior were conducted and the relationship among nuclear power generation scenarios, carbon certificate trade and potential economy effects was obtained.

Future Patterns of Electricity Development in Japan: Implications for ASEAN Hydrocarbon Exports

This study presents estimates of Japan's future power generation mix under four different policy scenarios. These four scenarios include: (1) the Ministry of International Trade and Industry's (MITI) plan; (2) a programme of sulfur dioxide (S02) and nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions abatement; (3) a moratorium on construction of new nuclear power plants; and (4) a combination of emissions abatement and constrained nuclear power generation. A multi-objective programming model was utilized to derive future energy requirements for the power sector. The analysis shows that the impact of different plans for power generation in Japan will be minimal on ASEAN-Japan oil trade, but the liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from ASEAN may increase significantly tinder the emissions abatement and/or constrained nuclear power scenarios. If all the additional LNG required are imported from ASEAN, the region's export may rise by up to 24 per cent.