Sustainability – Can nuclear and fusion energy rise to the challenge ?
Andy Mayall and Christiana Dowds work at the Environment Agency where Andy is the New and Operational Nuclear Sites Manager and Christiana is a Nuclear Regulator . They have been leading work to ensure sustainability continues to be embedded into the Environment Agency ’ s regulatory approach in the nuclear sector , as well as leading engagement with the nuclear industry to promote and facilitate collaborative action on sustainability .
We are living in a global climate emergency . The Government has committed to reaching net zero carbon emissions by 2050 , which requires a major transformative , cultural and systemic shift in society .
Nuclear and fusion power form part of the UK Government ’ s policy for a low carbon and secure energy system . Government has proposed to include nuclear energy as a sustainable technology in the green finance taxonomy for mitigating climate change . However , can nuclear and fusion energy contribute to the revolutionary shift needed - a modern progressive industry delivering across the UN Sustainable Development Goals ?
Nuclear fission is low carbon across its lifecycle , with emissions comparable to renewables and much lower than from fossil fuels . Nuclear does not contribute significantly to the emission of air pollutants and has a relatively small land footprint . These benefits must be weighed against impacts such as the safe disposal of radioactive waste , the impacts of uranium mining and the potentially large cooling water demand .
Radiation Protection Today Summer 2023
There is the potential for nuclear fission , and fusion , to be more flexible and sustainable than previous generations . This includes Small Modular Reactors which could be operating in the next decade to generate electricity , produce hydrogen , and potentially heat , improving on the typically low thermal efficiencies of older nuclear power stations . Further ahead , Advanced Modular Reactors and fusion systems are being developed that use different fuels or cooling technologies to those found in current reactors . It is unlikely that fusion will contribute significantly to the UK ' s energy mix by 2050 , but it has the potential to play a more significant role in the second half of this century . In recognition of its lower hazard and risk , fusion is not included in the UK ’ s nuclear licensing regime .
The challenges for new nuclear and fusion include maturity of design , new waste forms , waste avoidance , disposal options , heat conversion systems , the effects of higher temperatures and higher radiation fields , energy systems integration and climate resilience . Siting will be an issue , especially if power stations need to be closer to end users at inland locations . For fusion to be a viable proposition , energy extraction , tritium handling and the use and reuse or disposal of beryllium and lithium will need to be addressed .
However , the main challenges for sustainability are likely to be social , including public acceptance and affordability . Public engagement will be crucial . And nothing can happen unless we create and maintain the skilled human resources required .
Radiological protection professionals have an important role in enabling nuclear and fusion power to contribute to sustainable development . They must keep people and the environment safe , now and in the future , and ensure that overall protection is optimised by balancing the many relevant factors .
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