Who Needs Nuclear Power challenges conventional thinking about the role of civil nuclear power in a rapidly changing energy context, where new energy carriers are penetrating markets around the world.
Against the backdrop of a global energy transition and the defining issue of Climate Change, Chris Anastasi assesses new nuclear build in a fast-moving sector in which new technologies and practices are rapidly emerging. He considers various countries at different stages of nuclear industry development, and discusses their political, legal and technical institutions that provide the framework for both existing nuclear facilities and new build, as well as a country’s technical capability. He also highlights the critical issue of nuclear safety culture, exploring how organisations go about instilling it and maintaining it in their operations and encouraging it in their supply chains; the critical role played by independent regulators and international institutions in ensuring the integrity of the industry is also highlighted.
This book provides a balanced and holistic view of nuclear power for both an expert and non-expert audience, and a realistic assessment of the potential for this technology over the critical period to 2050 and beyond.
Part 1: Can Civil Nuclear Power be a ‘Disruptive’ Technology in the 21st Century?
1. A Changing Context for Civil Nuclear Power
2. Strengths of the Nuclear Option
3. Weaknesses of the Nuclear Option
4. The Importance of Nuclear Safety Culture
5. An Energy Transition in the 21st Century
Part 2: Will Civil Nuclear Power be a ‘Disruptive’ Technology in the 21st Century?
6. Nuclear Power in a Global Context
7. Developments in Selected Countries
8. Potential Role of Nuclear at a Country Level
9. Nuclear Power in the 21st Century
Biography
Chris Anastasi is an expert on energy and the related issue of Climate Change and a published author. He has led teams in both major international energy companies and academia, working across the energy spectrum in the UK and in countries in different parts of the world.
"Notwithstanding efforts in energy conservation and efficiency, the global demand for electricity will increase. Governments and decision-makers face critical decisions in providing for future electricity supply which is essential to the lives and livelihood of people for many decades to come. This book provides a view of how nuclear generation can make a substantial contribution to the world’s energy future as the low-carbon, base load source. And it does so forthrightly in presenting a balanced view of the strengths and weaknesses of nuclear generation. Whether nuclear generation becomes part of the foundation of the world’s energy future will be determined by government policy and public acceptance. This book is a great reference for decision-makers as they decide on the energy supply of the future." -- Bill Coley CBE, Former President of Duke Power and CEO of British Energy
"That the climate is changing because of human activity is beyond doubt. Achieving the temperature goals of the Paris Agreement will need global greenhouse gas emissions to fall rapidly over the next few decades, including reaching net-zero carbon dioxide by around 2050. Developed countries will need to move faster. Actions will be required across the whole economy, from a wide range of options. Nuclear generation is one of those options, and yet some countries have moved away from it, and there are questions over the contribution it can make. So, what is the role for nuclear generation in the required transition to zero emissions? You could not have a better and more dispassionate guide than Chris Anastasi. There’s no easy answer. Whether or not you agree with his conclusions, he succeeds in his aim to get you to think about the issues." -- Adrian Gault OBE, UK Committee on Climate Change.
"I have lost count of the times people have asked me "are you for, or against, nuclear power?" I always reply, "that’s a strange question; it is like asking me, are you for, or against… ships." Ships are hugely useful, in fact, utterly essential for our current and future global economy, but I wouldn’t try to go from London to Derby in one! Some may say I am glib in that response – but I think this book, written by a person who has a unique insight into all the dilemmas encapsulated in my riposte, incisively encapsulates the multitude of issues that surround nuclear electricity generation as it enters the 2020s globally. Yes, those issues need to be addressed. I hope Chris’ analysis is too pessimistic. I can imagine a world where nuclear power can supply close to 100% of global energy needs. Yes, its expansion would require systems of management and effective supervision that would test global coordination and best practice to levels that have yet to be realised. But, it can be done." -- Professor David Cope, Fellow of Clare Hall, University of Cambridge, and previously Director of the UK Parliament’s Office of Science and Technology
