Potential of light-water reactors for future nuclear power plants

摘要

The nuclear industry is currently faced with the double challenge of maintaining and expanding the presence of nuclear energy in base-load electricity generation and the question of tackling the penetration of nuclear energy in other sectors of the energy market, in particular the hydrogen economy. This paper argues that for several more decades, water-cooled reactors, and particularly (LWRs), light-water reactors, will be the backbone for base-load electricity generation. Generation IV reactor types may enter this market in about 30 years from now, provided they become competitive with LWRs or are needed as a complement to LWRs to penetrate new energy markets such as hydrogen production and/or to stretch out uranium resources. It also discusses the issue of winning public acceptance for new nuclear build.