Assessing National Economic Effects Of Nuclear Programmes

This publication presents the outcomes of an IAEA coordinated research project on assessing the national economic effects of nuclear programmes in participating Member States. It provides a short description of the extended input-output model for sustainable power generation (EMPOWER), developed by the IAEA, and presents concise summaries of its applications. It further includes the results produced by the contributing research teams and summarizes general insights drawn from the national studies. The publication illustrates the state of the art of assessing macroeconomic impacts of nuclear energy programmes. It is expected to support further applications of advanced models to improve the understanding of macroeconomic and sectoral impacts of building and operating nuclear power plants

This publication assists existing and potential stakeholders in the definition of competitive approaches regarding design and deployment of small and medium sized reactors (SMR). It provides a framework for assessment of the investment attractiveness of nuclear power plant projects that adopts small reactor to be deployed in multi-modules and incorporate modularization construction technology. Main chapters detail past experience and future plans in several IAEA Member States and present the suite of models to assist designers and guide potential users on the economic performance and investment attractiveness of SMRs. A framework for the consolidated application of such models is also suggested. The annexes, contributed by Member States, provide in depth descriptions of different assessment models and give examples of their application.

This report investigate the methodologies used in calculating the economic consequences of accidents, and the bases for such methodologies.

Reliable methods for estimating the cost of a radioactive waste disposal programme are crucial to ensure that the necessary funding for completing the disposal programme is available. Estimating the cost for disposal is, however, a challenging and complex task. Disposal programmes themselves are complex and long term undertakings, and conditions can be expected to change significantly over the time span during which a disposal programme is developed and implemented. This publication provides Member States with information on developing cost estimates for a disposal programme and establishing funding mechanisms. It will help readers in becoming informed clients by familiarizing themselves with the approaches and complexities in cost estimates and funding mechanisms for disposal. The publication is applicable to all waste categories and both near surface and geological disposal. It contains relevant examples and case studies from national programmes. The cost figures are intended to give an indication of the possible cost of certain parts or aspects of the disposal programme rather than to compare different disposal programmes’ costs.

This open access book discusses the eroding economics of nuclear power for electricity generation as well as technical, legal, and political acceptance issues. The use of nuclear power for electricity generation is still a heavily disputed issue. Aside from technical risks, safety issues, and the unsolved problem of nuclear waste disposal, the economic performance is currently a major barrier. In recent years, the costs have skyrocketed especially in the European countries and North America. At the same time, the costs of alternatives such as photovoltaics and wind power have significantly decreased. Contents History and Current Status of the World Nuclear Industry The Dramatic Decrease of the Economics of Nuclear Power Nuclear Policy in the EU The Legacy of Csernobyl and Fukushima Nuclear Waste and Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants Alternatives: Heading Towards Sustainable Electricity Systems Target Groups Researchers and students in the fields of political, economic and technical sciences Energy (policy) experts, nuclear energy experts and practitioners, economists, engineers, consultants, civil society organizations The Editors Prof. Dr. Reinhard Haas is University Professor of energy economics at the Institute of Energy Systems and Electric Drives at Technische Universität Wien, Austria. PD Dr. Lutz Mez is Associate Professor at the Department for Political and Social Sciences of Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. PD Dr. Amela Ajanovic is a senior researcher and lecturer at the Institute of Energy Systems and Electrical Drives at Technische Universität Wien, Austria.--

Transforming the energy system is at the core of the dedicated sustainable development goal on energy within the new United Nations development agenda. This publication explores the possible contribution of nuclear energy to addressing the issues of sustainable development through a large selection of indicators. It reviews the characteristics of nuclear power in comparison with alternative sources of electricity supply, according to economic, social and environmental pillars of sustainability. The findings summarized in this publication will help the reader to consider, or reconsider, the contribution that can be made by the development and operation of nuclear power plants in contributing to more sustainable energy systems.

The development and implementation of an appropriate infrastructure to support the successful introduction of nuclear power and its safe, secure, peaceful and sustainable application is an issue of central concern, especially for countries that are considering and planning their first nuclear power plant. In preparing the necessary nuclear infrastructure, there are several activities that need to be completed. These activities can be split into three progressive phases of development. This publication provides a description of the conditions expected to be achieved by the end of each phase to assist with the best use of resources. 'Milestones' refer to the conditions necessary to demonstrate that the phase has been successfully completed.

This report investigate the methodologies used in calculating the economic consequences of accidents, and the bases for such methodologies.