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Nuclear Essentials - World Nuclear Association

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To limit the impacts of climate change, the world must rapidly reduce its dependency on fossil fuels to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear energy is low-carbon and can be deployed on a large scale at the timescale required, supplying the world with clean, reliable, and affordable electricity.

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Nuclear power is a low-carbon source of energy. In 2018, nuclear power produced about 10 percent of the world's electricity. Together with the expanding renewable energy sources and fuel switching from coal to gas, higher nuclear power production contributed to the levelling of global CO ₂ emissions at 33 gigatonnes in 2019. Clearly, nuclear power - as a dispatchable low carbon source of electricity - can play a key role in the transition to a clean energy future.

As part of the capacity building process for energy system analysis and planning, the IAEA provides assistance to Member States for the evaluation of the role of nuclear energy in national climate change mitigation strategies through the Technical Cooperation programme and Coordinated Research Projects. For this purpose, a comprehensive set of IAEA tools and methodologies are available to Member States.

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With the adoption of the Paris Agreement in 2015, almost all Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (UNFCCC) agreed to prepare nationally determined contributions (NDCs) to control GHG emissions and limit the increase of global mean surface temperature by the end of the century to below 2°C relative to pre-industrial levels.

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The capacity of nuclear energy to ensure our energy independence and to guarantee the production of low-carbon electricity is invaluable for tackling the climate emergency.

#1 A Low-carbon energy

Nuclear power is one of the world's energy sources that emits the least greenhouse gas Its very low CO2 emission rate - four times less than solar for example - makes it an essential energy for the low-carbon transition.

Without nuclear power we would emit a lot more CO2
Nuclear power prevents the release of 2 billion tonnes of CO2 each year across the world, equivalent to the production of 400 million cars.

Did you know?

The fact that France has a large share of nuclear power makes its electricity mix one of the most carbon-free mixes in Europe

Thanks to nuclear power in large part, but also to renewables including hydroelectricity, France has over 90% continuous, low-carbon electricity

#2 Constant and controllable energy

In addition to being a climate-friendly energy, nuclear power provides continuous electricity thanks to its robust production system, able to adapt to variations in electricity demand. Through the stability of its associated grid and its controllable nature, nuclear power contributes significantly to securing the electricity supply in hospitals, in businesses and in every home.

Another major asset is that nuclear power makes France independent for 56% of its overall energy needs.

#3 Competitive energy

Nuclear power is one of the least expensive sources of electrical power generation, enabling France to have one of the lowest electricity prices in Europe.

+70% : this is how much more a German household pays for their electricity compared with a French household

Electricity prices for French manufacturers are 25% less than the European average

Key statistics :

0,30€/kWh price incl. VAT of electricity in Germany

0,17€/kWh price incl. VAT of of electricity in France

#4 Energy that is essential to the electricity mix

In all the energy transition scenarios studied by the IPCC* and the IEA* for the production of low-carbon electricity, a significant development of renewable energies can only be envisaged along with nuclear power to avoid the use of fossil fuels. Renewable energies (solar, wind) are by nature intermittent and cannot meet the existing and future energy needs of 8 billion people on their own.

As a result, nuclear and renewables must combine together to sustain the low-carbon energy transition and meet France's commitments to combat global warming.

* Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) - International Energy Agency (IEA)

#5 Energy that is vital for tomorrow's world

The equation to be solved is a fact: in 2050, due to global demographic growth, the deployment of electric mobility and the economic development of emerging countries, we will need twice as much electricity. At the same time, we will have to achieve carbon neutrality.

As electricity production is now the No. 1 source of CO2 emissions in the world due to the use of fossil fuels (coal and gas), it is imperative to initiate the decarbonization of electricity production to drastically reduce GHG emissions. Climate scientists recommend increasing the share of low-carbon energies for power generation from 30% to over 80% by 2050. Here, France has shown the way.

" Coal was the energy of the 19th century. Oil that of the 20th. Carbon-free electricity will be that of the 21st century "

#6 Energy that is sparing in its demand for raw materials

In addition, Orano recycles used nuclear fuels to produce new fuels, and thus contributes to the saving of precious natural resources. In France, one in 10 light bulbs is powered by nuclear power generated with recycled materials. By recycling uranium and used MOX fuel, 30% savings in raw materials could be achieved.

96% of spent fuel is recyclable (95% uranium and 1% plutonium).

100 g of uranium produces as much energy as one tonne of oil.

#7 Energy that preserves health

Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear power emits no fine particles, nitrogen dioxide, sulfur dioxide, nitrates or phosphates into the atmosphere. Air pollution, in addition to the climate emergency, is also a major public health issue.

Did you know?
Nuclear power plants are often depicted with huge plumes escaping from reactors. However, these plumes are not CO2 emissions but simply water vapor from the cooling towers. They are completely harmless for people (they contain no radioactivity) and for the climate.

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7 good reasons for turning to nuclear energy to combat global warming | Orano

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The capacity of nuclear energy to ensure our energy independence and to guarantee the production of low-carbon electricity is invaluable for tackling the climate emergency. Nuclear power is one of the world's energy sources that emits the least greenhouse gas Its very low CO2 emission rate - four times less than solar for example - makes it an essential energy for the low-carbon transition.

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We need deep decarbonization to hit our climate goals. Nuclear power can get us there, providing nearly 55 percent of America's carbon-free electricity.

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Highlights

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Nuclear power's contribution to climate change mitigation is and will be very limited.

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Currently nuclear power avoids 2-3% of total global GHG emissions per year.

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According to current planning this value will decrease even further until 2040.

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A substantial expansion of nuclear power will not be possible.

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Given its low contribution, a complete phase-out of nuclear energy is feasible.

Abstract

With increased awareness of climate change in recent years nuclear energy has received renewed attention. Positions that attribute nuclear energy an important role in climate change mitigation emerge.

We estimate an upper bound of the CO ₂ saving potential of various nuclear energy growth scenarios, starting from our projection of nuclear generating capacity based on current national energy plans to scenarios that introduce nuclear energy as substantial instrument for climate protection. We then look at needed uranium resources.

The most important result of the present work is that the contribution of nuclear power to mitigate climate change is, and will be, very limited. At present nuclear power avoids annually 2-3% of total global GHG emissions. Looking at announced plans for new nuclear builds and lifetime extensions this value would decrease even further until 2040. Furthermore, a substantial expansion of nuclear power will not be possible because of technical obstacles and limited resources. Limited uranium-235 supply inhibits substantial expansion scenarios with the current nuclear technology. New nuclear technologies, making use of uranium-238, will not be available in time. Even if such expansion scenarios were possible, their climate change mitigation potential would not be sufficient as single action.

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Nuclear energy - The solution to climate change?

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Nuclear power's contribution to climate change mitigation is and will be very limited. * Currently nuclear power avoids 2-3% of total global GHG emissions per year. * According to current planning this value will decrease even further until 2040. * A substantial expansion of nuclear power will not be possible.

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42 USC §13201 et seq. (2005)

The Energy Policy Act (EPA) addresses energy production in the United States, including: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) oil and gas; (4) coal; (5) Tribal energy; (6) nuclear matters and security; (7) vehicles and motor fuels, including ethanol; (8) hydrogen; (9) electricity; (10) energy tax incentives; (11) hydropower and geothermal energy; and (12) climate change technology. For example, the Act provides loan guarantees for entities that develop or use innovative technologies that avoid the by-production of greenhouse gases. Another provision of the Act increases the amount of biofuel that must be mixed with gasoline sold in the United States.

More Information

The Office of Underground Storage Tanks (OUST) carries out a Congressional mandate to develop and implement a regulatory program for underground storage tank (UST) systems. OUST implements provisions of the Energy Policy Act of 2005.

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support delivery of services > public affairs > official information dissemination > public information & outreach > provide public information

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Summary of the Energy Policy Act | US EPA

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The Energy Policy Act (EPA) addresses energy production in the United States, including: (1) energy efficiency; (2) renewable energy; (3) oil and gas; (4) coal; (5) Tribal energy; (6) nuclear matters and security; (7) vehicles and motor fuels, including ethanol; (8) hydrogen; (9) electricity; (10) energy tax incentives; (11) hydropower and geothermal energy; and (12) climate change technology.

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nuclear is references on page 7 table A.lll.2

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University of Texas @ Austin Estimated Levelized CO2 by Emissions

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University of Texas @ Austin Estimated Levelized CO2 by Emissions