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What contribution can nuclear energy make to improve the security of energy supply? This study, which examines a selection of OECD member countries, qualitatively and quantitatively validates the often intuitive assumption that, as a largely domestic source of electricity with stable costs and no greenhouse gas emissions during production, nuclear energy can make a positive contribution. Following an analysis of the meaning and context of security of supply, the study uses transparent and policy-relevant indicators to show that, together with improvements in energy efficiency, nuclear energy has indeed contributed significantly to enhanced energy supply security in OECD countries over the past 40 years.
Global demand for electricity continues to grow and numerous new nuclear power plants (NPPs) are being planned or constructed in NEA member countries. Most of these new NPPs will be of the third generation, and will be designed for as long as 80 years of operation. The successful design, construction and operation of these plants will depend broadly on appropriately implementing the lessons from experience accumulated to date.
This case study introduces a policy and technical framework that may be used when formulating technical assistance and guidance for senior managers of NPPs, designers, manufacturers, contractors and authorities responsible for regulating occupational radiation exposure. It is aimed in particular at assisting design and license assessments of new NPPs. Although not targeting the needs of countries introducing nuclear power for the first time, this case study can also provide valuable input on occupational radiological protection issues for the implementation of new nuclear energy programmes.
Large volumes of hazardous wastes are produced each year, however only a small proportion of them are radioactive. While disposal options for hazardous wastes are generally well established, some types of hazardous waste face issues similar to those for radioactive waste and also require long-term disposal arrangements. The objective of this NEA study is to put the management of radioactive waste into perspective, firstly by contrasting features of radioactive and hazardous wastes, together with their management policies and strategies, and secondly by examining the specific case of the wastes resulting from carbon capture and storage of fossil fuels. The study seeks to give policy makers and interested stakeholders a broad overview of the similarities and differences between radioactive and hazardous wastes and their management strategies.
Cette 2010 édition des Données sur l'énergie nucléaire, la compilation annuelle de l'Agence de l'OCDE pour l'énergie nucléaire contenant des statistiques officielles et des rapports nationaux sur l'énergie nucléaire, présente des informations clés concernant les projets de construction de centrales nucléaires, l'évolution du cycle du combustible ainsi que la puissance nucléaire installée et projetée dans les pays membres de l'OCDE jusqu'en 2035. Ce panorama complet constitue une source d'informations officielles pour les décideurs politiques, experts et le public intéressé.
Nuclear accident risks are raised frequently in discussions of the acceptability of nuclear power generation, often framed in the context of the Three Mile Island and Chernobyl accidents. In reality, the safety record of nuclear power plants, by comparison with other electricity generation sources, is very good. This report describes how safety has been enhanced in nuclear power plants over the years, as the designs have progressed from Generation I to Generation III, and why it is important that safety remain the highest priority. This is illustrated by considering core damage frequencies and large radioactive release frequencies for each generation of nuclear power plants. It also compares severe accident data (those resulting in five or more fatalities) between different energy sources, both for immediate fatalities and for delayed (latent) fatalities, recognising that the latter data are often more difficult to estimate. Finally, it uses results of opinion surveys to analyse public confidence in nuclear operations and how this is correlated with trust in legislation and regulatory systems. It has been written for a general audience.
Les risques d'accidents nucléaires sont un sujet qui revient régulièrement dans les débats concernant l'acceptabilité de la production électronucléaire, souvent avec en toile de fond les accidents de Three Mile Island et de Tchernobyl. En fait, les performances en matière de sûreté nucléaire sont très bonnes comparées aux autres modes de production de l'électricité. Ce rapport décrit comment la sûreté des centrales nucléaires a progressé au fil des années, depuis la première génération jusqu'à la troisième, et montre pourquoi il est essentiel que la sûreté reste au premier rang des priorités. Ceci est illustré en analysant la fréquence des fusions du cœur et de rejets importants de radioactivité pour chaque génération de centrale nucléaire. Le rapport compare également les données sur les accidents graves (ayant provoqué la mort de cinq personnes ou plus) suivant les différents modes de production d'énergie, en comptabilisant tant les décès immédiats qu’ultérieurs, sachant que ces derniers sont souvent plus difficiles à évaluer. Enfin, à partir des résultats de sondages d'opinion, ce rapport analyse la confiance que le nucléaire inspire au public et sa corrélation avec le crédit accordé à la législation et au système réglementaire. Cet ouvrage s'adresse principalement à un public généraliste.
This publication commemorates the International School of Nuclear Law which is celebrating its 10th anniversary in 2010. The purpose of the publication is to provide an overview of the international nuclear law instruments, their background, content and development over the years and to present an outlook on future needs in the field of international nuclear law. Renowned experts in the nuclear law field have contributed scholarly papers on the various aspects of international nuclear law, including international institutions, protection against ionising radiation, nuclear safety, non-proliferation of nuclear weapons and safeguards, nuclear security, transport of nuclear material and fuel, management of spent fuel and radioactive waste, liability, compensation and insurance for nuclear damages, environmental protection and international trade in nuclear material and equipment. This publication is dedicated to the school’s 500+ alumni from all around the world.
With several countries currently building nuclear power plants and planning the construction of more to meet long-term increases in electricity demand, uranium resources, production and demand remain topics of notable interest. In response to the projected growth in demand for uranium and declining inventories, the uranium industry – the first critical link in the fuel supply chain for nuclear reactors – is boosting production and developing plans for further increases in the near future. Strong market conditions will, however, be necessary to trigger the investments required to meet projected demand.
The “Red Book”, jointly prepared by the OECD Nuclear Energy Agency and the International Atomic Energy Agency, is a recognised world reference on uranium. It is based on information compiled in 40 countries, including those that are major producers and consumers of uranium. This 23rd edition provides a comprehensive review of world uranium supply and demand as of 1 January 2009, as well as data on global uranium exploration, resources, production and reactor-related requirements. It provides substantive new information from major uranium production centres around the world, as well as from countries developing production centres for the first time. Projections of nuclear generating capacity and reactor-related uranium requirements through 2035 are also featured, along with an analysis of long-term uranium supply and demand issues.
Ce rapport conjoint de l’Agence internationale de l’énergie (AIE) et de l’Agence de l'OCDE pour l’énergie nucléaire (AEN) est la septième d’une série d’études consacrées aux coûts de production d’électricité. Elle présente les données les plus récentes disponibles sur un large éventail d'énergies et de technologies, notamment le charbon et le gaz (avec et sans capture du carbone), le nucléaire, l’hydro-électrique, l’éolien (à terre et en mer), la biomasse, le solaire, l’énergie des vagues et l’énergie marémotrice, ainsi que la production combinée de chaleur et d’électricité. Elle indique les coûts moyens actualisés de l’électricité (LCOE, levelised costs of electricity) par MWe pour près de 200 centrales, sur la base de données couvrant 21 pays (dont quatre pays importants non-membres de l’OCDE), ainsi que plusieurs sociétés industrielles et organisations. Pour la première fois, le rapport contient une analyse de sensibilité approfondie de l’impact sur le LCOE de la variation des principaux paramètres, tels les taux d’actualisation, les prix des énergies et les coûts du carbone. D’autres impacts sur les choix en matière de production d’électricité sont également étudiés.
L’étude montre que la compétitivité des différentes technologies de production d’électricité dépend d’un certain nombre de facteurs qui peuvent varier d’un pays, voire d'une zone géographique à l’autre. Les lecteurs trouveront tous les détails et des analyses complètes, étayées par plus de 130 illustrations et tableaux, dans ce rapport qui devrait constituer un outil précieux pour les décideurs et les chercheurs intéressés par les politiques énergétiques et le changement climatique.
Hydrogen has the potential to play an important role as a sustainable and environmentally acceptable energy carrier in the 21st century. This report describes the scientific and technical challenges associated with the production of hydrogen using heat and/or electricity from nuclear power plants, with special emphasis on recent developments in high-temperature electrolysis and the use of different chemical thermodynamic processes. Economics and market analysis as well as safety aspects of the nuclear production of hydrogen are also discussed.
This report is based on a study carried out by the NEA Decommissioning Cost Estimation Group (DCEG) on decommissioning cost elements, estimation practices and reporting requirements. Its findings indicate that cost methodologies need to be updated continuously using cost data from actual decommissioning projects and hence, systematic approaches need to be implemented to collect these data. The study also concludes that changes in project scope may have the greatest impact on project costs. Such changes must therefore be identified immediately and incorporated into the estimate. Finally, the report notes that more needs to be done to facilitate the comparison of estimates, for example by providing a reporting template for national estimates.
Experience from decommissioning projects suggests that the decommissioning of nuclear power plants could be made easier if it received greater consideration at the design stage and during the operation of the plants. Better forward planning for decommissioning results in lower worker doses and reduced costs. When appropriate design measures are not taken at an early stage, their introduction later in the project becomes increasingly difficult. Hence, their early consideration may lead to smoother and more effective decommissioning.
It is now common practice to provide a preliminary decommissioning plan as part of the application for a licence to operate a nuclear facility. This means, in turn, that decommissioning issues are being considered during the design process. Although many design provisions aiming at improved operation and maintenance will be beneficial for decommissioning as well, designers also need to consider issues that are specific to decommissioning, such as developing sequential dismantling sequences and providing adequate egress routes. These issues and more are discussed in this report.
L’expérience des projets de démantèlement de centrales nucléaires laisse entendre que l'on pourrait simplifier ces opérations si l'on y accordait davantage d'attention au moment de la conception ou pendant l'exploitation de l'installation. Mieux planifier le démantèlement est en effet synonyme de doses réduites et de moindres coûts. Or les adaptations de la conception qui n'ont pas été effectuées dès l'origine sont difficiles à introduire ultérieurement. C'est pourquoi, leur prise en compte précoce est gage d'un démantèlement plus facile et plus efficace.
Il est dorénavant de pratique courante de produire un plan de démantèlement préliminaire avec la demande d'autorisation d’exploitation d'une centrale nucléaire. Cela signifie que les questions de démantèlement sont prises en compte pendant la conception. Toutefois, si les dispositions de conception adoptées pour l’exploitation et la maintenance améliorent souvent les conditions de démantèlement aussi, les concepteurs doivent également considérer les aspects spécifiques à ces opérations, établir des séquences d'opérations de démantèlement et prévoir des voies d'évacuation adaptées par exemple. Ce rapport approfondit ces questions et bien d'autres encore.
Les concepts clés de la gestion des déchets radioactifs, tels la sûreté, le risque, la réversibilité et la récupérabilité, ont des connotations différentes pour la communauté scientifique et pour les parties prenantes de formation non technique. De manière similaire, des concepts socio-économiques, dont la communauté, le paysage et les avantages sociaux, sont interprétés différemment suivant les groupes sociaux. Les opinions et les comportements ne sont pas simplement une image fidèle de la prise de décision, des événements réels et des messages communiqués ; la perception et l’interprétation des événements et des objets jouent aussi un rôle. Ce rapport présente les questions clés et des exemples permettant de développer la prise de conscience de l’importance des symboles et du symbolisme dans la communication sur les perceptions et les interprétations. Il accentue le constat que la communication entre les parties prenantes est modelée par des dimensions qui vont au-delà du sens commun et sont fondées sur les traditions et les conventions sociales. Une meilleure compréhension de ces réalités moins évidentes ou flagrantes devrait aider à trouver des moyens additionnels pour créer des relations constructives entre les parties prenantes.
Key concepts of radioactive waste management, such as safety, risk, reversibility and retrievability, carry different meanings for the technical community and for non-technical stakeholders. Similarly, socio-economic concepts, including community, landscape and benefit packages, are interpreted differently by diverse societal groups. Opinions and attitudes are not simply a faithful reflection of decision making, actual events and communicated messages; perceptions and interpretations of events and objects also play a role. This report presents key issues and examples in order to build awareness of the importance of symbols and symbolism in communicating about perceptions and interpretations. It adds to the recognition that dialogue amongst stakeholders is shaped by dimensions of meaning that reach beyond dictionary definitions and are grounded in tradition and social conventions. A better understanding of these less obvious or conspicuous realities should help find additional ways of creating constructive relationships amongst stakeholders.
Les programmes nationaux de gestion des déchets radioactifs se trouvent à des phases diverses dans la recherche de sites d’implantation d’installations et se fondent sur des approches techniques distinctes adaptées aux différentes catégories de déchets. Dans tous les cas, il est nécessaire que les acteurs institutionnels et la communauté d’accueil, actuelle ou potentielle, établissent entre eux une relation sérieuse et viable. Les formules de partenariat permettent de réaliser un équilibre entre les exigences d’une représentation équitable et d’une participation éclairée. Avec l'appui de la communuté d’accueil, elles contribuent également à l'association souhaitable d’un site et d’un concept de gestion pouvant être autorisés au plan réglementaire ainsi qu'à un bon équilibre entre l'octroi de compensations, le contrôle local et les possibilités de développement. Ce rapport présente les informations les plus récentes sur les expériences de partenariat avec les communautés d’accueil dans 13 pays. Les caractéristiques, les avantages et les objectifs de telles formules de partenariat y sont décrits ainsi que l'évolution du concept sur les dix dernières années.
National radioactive waste management programmes are in various phases of siting facilities and rely on distinct technical approaches for different categories of waste. In all cases, it is necessary for institutional actors and the potential or actual host community to build a meaningful, workable relationship. Partnership approaches are effective in achieving a balance between the requirements of fair representation and competent participation. With host community support, they also help ensure the desirable combination of a licensable site and management concept as well as a balance between compensation, local control and development opportunities. This report provides up-to-date information on experience with local partnership arrangements in 13 countries. The characteristics, advantages and aims of community partnerships are also described in addition to the concept's evolution over the past decade.
This joint IEA/NEA report on electricity generating costs presents the latest data available for a wide variety of fuels and technologies, including coal and gas (with and without carbon capture), nuclear, hydro, onshore and offshore wind, biomass, solar, wave and tidal as well as combined heat and power (CHP). It provides levelised costs of electricity (LCOE) per MWh for almost 200 plants, based on data covering 21 countries (including four major non-OECD countries), and several industrial companies and organisations. For the first time, the report contains an extensive sensitivity analysis of the impact of variations in key parameters such as discount rates, fuel prices and carbon costs on LCOE. Additional issues affecting power generation choices are also examined.
Currently, the format, content and practice of cost estimation vary considerably both within and between countries, which makes it very difficult to compare estimates, even for similar types of facilities. The reasons are largely due to different legal requirements in different countries and to historical custom and practice, leading to variations in basic assumptions such as the anticipated decommissioning strategy and end state of the site, and to different approaches to dealing with uncertainties. While attaining harmonisation across national approaches to cost estimation may be difficult to achieve, standardising the way decommissioning cost estimates are structured and reported will give greater transparency to the decommissioning process and will help build regulator and stakeholder confidence in the cost estimates and schedules.
This booklet highlights the findings of the NEA Decommissioning Cost Estimation Group (DCEG) which recently studied cost estimation practices in 12 countries.
Public attitudes to nuclear power are critical in shaping nuclear policies in OECD/NEA countries and the latter will only be able to make use of this energy source if a well-informed public considers that its benefits outweigh its risks. This report provides a number of insights into public attitudes towards nuclear power. Support for nuclear energy is generally correlated with the level of experience of and knowledge about nuclear power. Interestingly, while the public is generally aware of the contribution of nuclear power to ensuring security of energy supply, its potential contribution to combating climate change is less well recognised. Solving the waste disposal issue would also significantly increase the level of public support. Furthermore, OECD/NEA governments may wish to reflect carefully on how to react to these results as, according to the surveys, they are the least trusted source on energy issues, far behind regulators, non-governmental organisations and scientists.