Global Nuclear Power Implementation
Andrew Renz
A cross-nation examination of reactor-based energy
Why Nuclear?
After the turn of production regarding the global Industrial Revolution, humans have been pumping detrimental amounts of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere as a result of the burning of petroleum. Commercial and residential forms of heating and transportation as well as industrial processes have forced this greenhouse gas into the atmosphere. This increase in carbon dioxide has led to a rise in temperatures as UV rays from the sun have been trapped within the ozone (“Global Warming”). Nuclear power provides an efficient alternative to petroleum, as the only major byproduct is steam resulting from boiled water, rather than metric tons of greenhouse gasses (U.S. Energy).
A More Pertinent Dilemma
The current conflict between Russia and Ukraine has opened a new sect of questions for the European Union. It has been estimated that around two thirds of the E.U.'s energy is purchased from Russia, making the situation increasingly intense. The Union lacks the self sufficiency in the energy department to support the variety of power demands necessary to allow nations to function. Over sixty percent of power reliance on Russia could spell disaster in the future. More nuclear power implementation across the E.U. could supply adequate power and reserves for the Union, whilst avoiding purchasing petroleum from exterior sources (Maizland)
Unprecedented Velocity. Impeccable Reliability.
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10K
Business Partners
25M
Products Installed
22
Countries World Wide
5
Industry Awards
The United States
The United States is the largest producer of nuclear power in the world. The nation as a whole is responsible for roughly 30 percent of the global nuclear output. The majority of the power percentage is from plants built primarily between 1967 and 1990. Regardless, American dependency on nuclear power has grown by more than thirty percent. In scientific numbers, 843 billion kilowatt-hours were produced in 2019. The incident at Three Mile Island in 1979 stunted growth through an increase of public fear towards the growth of nuclear power. However, by 1990, the United States had developed a grid with roughly 100 active plants. The statistics across the board consist of 93 operable reactors, which produce roughly 95,000 MWe. In 2019, by comparison, nuclear power stayed at a level of ninety-four percent capacity factor (output), whereas solar energy remained at twenty-two percent, and wind energy was roughly thirty-two percent. Currently, two reactors are under construction, and forty have been decommissioned (“Nuclear Power in the USA”).
Calvert Cliffs, MD
Japan
National Statistics
USA
France
Sweden
Japan
Russia
93 reactors
95,000 MWe
56 reactors
61,000 MWe
6 reactors
7,000 MWe
33 reactors
32,000 MWe
37 reactors
28,000 Mwe
"Nuclear Power in the USA"
"Nuclear Power in France"
"Nuclear Power in Sweden"
"Nuclear Power in Japan"
"Nuclear Power in Russia"
The average American household consumes 10,715 kilowatt hours (kWh), meaning 10.715 MWe for reference (US Energy FAQ, Glossary).
France
France utilizes a substantial quantity of nuclear power within their electrical grid. Their system is relatively young, and the president of France, Emmanuel Macron, has set out to increase the prowess of the fleet with a $57 billion dollar six reactor push for 2028. Within their grid, there are 56 reactors actively in use. The primary purpose of the increase in nuclear power is energy security. After an oil crisis in 1974, the French government set out to ensure independence in energy, meaning that the grid was planned to stand independent from other nations. By doing this, the nation avoids the high prices of fluctuating imported petroleum and other forms of energy. Most importantly, there is safety in times of war, as the country is not reliant on other nations for energy, which is a topic that has been placed under great discussion within the European Union given the current situation with Russia. France is second in reactor quantity only to the United States (fifty-six vs. ninety-three). The country relies on these reactors for 70 percent of their nation’s power (“Nuclear Power in France”). Furthermore, the industry produces more than 200,000 jobs (Alderman). France’s power statistics consists of 56 working reactors producing roughly 61,000 MWe. Fourteen reactors have been shut down, and currently one is under construction (“Nuclear Power in France”).
Saint Laurent, France
Gravelines, France
Sweden
Sweden originally had voted against nuclear power in 1980. However, three decades later in 2010, nuclear power was voted back into the nation. Since then, Sweden has become an exemplar in energy sourcing. Sweden has had an unregulated power system since 1996. Since then, citizens have had full control over how they source their electricity. Sweden already utilized a well-developed system with hydroelectric power, but their grid has grown to rely heavily on nuclear power in an effort to preserve natural wildlife and resources, as renewable energy sources can be damaging to wildlife (“Nuclear Power in Sweden”). The individual power companies must pay fees to the government in order to support a Nuclear Waste Fund, which is used to ensure proper deactivation and disposal of spent nuclear fuel. State and local authorities (councils, commissions, etc.) work together to “effectively coordinate the use of available resources” (International). Sweden boasts a small fleet of six reactors (mostly owned by the governmental corporation Vattenfall) producing roughly 7,000 MWe. Currently, seven reactors have been decommissioned (“Nuclear Power in Sweden”).
Ringhals, Sweden
Japan
Prior to the detrimental Fukushima Daiichi incident in 2011, Japan utilized 54 reactors, which had supplied around 30 percent of the country’s power. This calamity led to a great deal of both local and national suspicion regarding nuclear power and its safety within a human population. Since then, in reference to March 2021, nine reactors have stayed active (with more in the process of being restarted) (“Japan's Nuclear”). As a result, the country now relies on roughly ninety percent of its power to be imported (“Nuclear Power in Japan”). These aforementioned plants supply a plethora of employment opportunities, and some of the local population wish for their return (“Japan's Nuclear”). Japan has a system utilizing thirty-three active reactors that produce almost 32,000 MWe. Twenty-seven reactors have been shut down, and two are under construction. Previous to the Fukushima Daiichi incident, the nation had projected that nuclear power production would increase towards forty percent by 2017, however, after the incident, the goal has changed in hopes to reach twenty percent by 2030. Japan began to restart their nuclear program following Fukushima in late 2015 with one powering on in August and one in October. Since then, sixteen reactors have been placed into the re-authorization program (“Nuclear Power in Japan”).
Takahama, Japan
Russia
Russia is currently in a power production predicament. Demand for power has been steadily increasing since 2010 while roughly a quarter of their domestic reactors have been reaching the end of their usefulness due to outdated designs. Furthermore, Russia’s predominant energy company, Gazprom, has started to whittle away at domestic natural gas sales, as more money can be made exporting to the west. Due to this Situation there will need to be more development in the field of power in order to keep the nation electrically afloat. Russia currently operates a system of 37 reactors, which produce more than 27,000 MWe (megawatt energy equivalent to one millions watts of energy). In 2019, the total electricity produced was 1121 TWh (terawatt hours). Russia utilizes 37 reactors, which produce roughly 28,000 MWe. Three reactors are currently under production and ten have been shut down (“Nuclear Power in Russia”).
Kola, Russia
Bibliography
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International Atomic Energy Agency. "Sweden 2021.” Accessed 23 Feb. 2022.
“Japan's Nuclear Power Plants in 2021.” Nippon.com, 30 Mar. 2021. Accessed 1 Mar. 2022.
Maizland, Lindsay. “Could Nuclear Power Cut Europe's Dependence on Russian Energy?” Council on Foreign Relations. Accessed 6 Apr. 2022.
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U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). “ FAQ Frequently Asked Questions.” Accessed 8 Apr 2022.
U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). “Glossary.” Accessed 8 Apr. 2022.
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