Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy is still an option in the future global energy mix. Nuclear power stations do not emit any CO2 during operation and quickly compensate for the CO2 emissions from the concrete, steel and construction during their lifetime. A nuclear power station is controllable and reliable. Many production hours must be realized per year for an acceptable business case. Used fuel rods and also the entire plant are radioactive waste that must be stored safely for 1000 years.
In Europe, the EPR-III with 1600MW output is the most current IAEA certified design. There are many Small Modular Reactor (SMR) developments in USA, China and UK. Prefab manufacturing of modules should limit investment costs. Knowledge and design of military reactors (ships, submarines) are a basis for SMR design.
The ITER project is a worldwide project to realize the first nuclear fusion power plant that generates enough electricity (approx. 500MW) to keep itself in operation.
There is a lot of research into using Thorium as a fuel in a nuclear fission process with fewer issues in terms of availability (and costs) of the fuel and in terms of waste.
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