Global Energy Challenges of the XXI Century and Nuclear Energy

摘要

The paper considers the world energy demand till the middle of the century, as well as possible forecasting solution for this challenge. On the base of the mathematical model developed in the Kurchatov Institute in 2003-2006, the vision of the global nuclear energy system and its potential contribution in the energy mix was analyzed.The rate of rapprochement between specific energy consumptions in different countries of the world is a key parameter determining the energy market strain. It was shown that a continuation of the current world trends of this rapprochement would result in an energy resource deficit already in the nearest future.The energy mix picture would contain an "unsatisfied demand" area of about 10 000 Mtoe of total energy to be consumed by the mid-centurySupposing that the mankind has to meet the "unsatisfied demand" by nuclear energy, the global energy challenges of the XXI century energy do not impose any upper limit on nuclear energy development, the scale of which would be determined by development opportunities.Russia, as one of the pioneers of the First Nuclear Era, possesses great experience of solving the key issues of nuclear energy of the XX century, and is capable to play an important role in dealing with the challenges faced by nuclear in the XXI century.