Abstract

Due to emerging climate change concerns coupled with increased global energy demand, eventually the world needs to move to low-carbon-emission electricity-generating sources—nonrenewables, such as nuclear power, and renewables, as hydro, wind, geothermal, solar, and tidal. The only source is nuclear power that is reliable, concentrated, and can be of large installed capacity and operate with high capacity factors. This paper updates and presents the current status of nuclear-power deployment and small modular reactors (SMRs) development in the world. Unfortunately, within last 9 years, electricity generation with nuclear power has decreased from ∼14% before the Fukushima Nuclear Power Plant (NPP) severe accident in March of 2011 to about ∼10%. Therefore, it is important to follow up with and understand the latest trends in nuclear power including SMRs development.

Issue Section:
Technology Review
Topics:
Boiling water reactors, China, Construction, Design, Fuels, Licensing, Nuclear power, Nuclear power stations, Nuclear reactors, Pressurized water reactors, Principal component analysis, Safety, Small modular reactors, Heavy water reactors, Electric power generation, Water, Accidents, Carbon

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