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U.S. Department of Energy ProgramsSupporting Nuclear Power Deployment
French American Foundationin cooperation with
French Section of the American Nuclear Society Paris, France
October 22, 2010
Dr. Peter LyonsOffice of Nuclear Energy
U.S. Department of Energy
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population of over 6 billion people is below 0.8
on the U.N. Human Development Index (HDI)
Source: United Nations Development Program; McFarlane 2006
4,000 8,000 12,000
India
China
Pakistan
RussiaG ermany
Australia
Canada
F rance Japan
U .S.
Annual Electricity Use (kWh/Capita)16,000
Prosperity
Education
Life span
Niger
Papua New Guinea
Ethiopia
Angola
1.0
0.8
0.6
0.4
Indonesia
U K
C A
Iran
Access to energy is essential to quality of life
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Nuclear power in the U.S. today
104 Nuclear plants provide about 20% of U.S. electricity generationHigh capacity factors above 90%. They have become much more efficient.
Columbia (1)
DiabloCanyon (2)
San Onofre(2) Palo Verde
(3)
Monticello (1)
Prairie Island (2)
Ft. Calhoun (1)
Cooper (1)
Wolf Creek (1)
Duane Arnold (1)
Callaway(1)
ANO (2)
Comanche Peak (2)
South Texas (2)
River Bend(1)
TurkeyPoint (2)
St. Lucie(2)
Farley(2)
Hatch (2)
Sequoyah (2)
Catawba (2)H. B. Robinson (1)
Summer (1)
Harris(1)
Brunswick (2)
Surry (2)
Calvert Cliffs (2)
Hope Creek (1)Salem (2)Oyster Creek (1)
Millstone (2)Pilgrim (1)Seabrook (1)
Vermont Yankee (1)FitzPatrick
(1)Nine Mile Point (2)
Ginna (1)
La Salle (2)
Kewaunee (1)
Point Beach (2)
Palisades (1)
Fermi (1)
Davis-Besse (1)
Perry(1)
Three Mile Island (1)
Limerick (2)Indian Point (2)
Quad-Cities (2) Braidwood
(2)
CrystalRiver(1)
Grand Gulf
(1)
BrownsFerry (3)
Watts Bar (1)
NorthAnna(2)
Oconee(3)
Waterford (1)
Dresden (2)
McGuire(2)
BeaverValley
(2)
Peach Bottom (2)
Susquehanna(2)
Byron (2)
Clinton (1)
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Biomass5%
Wind3%
Solar0%
Geothermal1% Hydro
21%
Nuclear70%
Source: Energy Information Administration
Net Non-emitting Sources of Electricity
Nuclear power is clean, reliable base load energy source
Provides about 20% of U.S. electricity generation mixProvides about 70% of U.S. emission-free electricityAvoids about 700 MMTCO2 each yearHelps reduces overall NOx and SOx levels
U.S. electricity demand projected to increase ~24% by 2030100 GWe nuclear capacity - 104 operating plants
Fleet maintaining approximate 90% average capacity factorsMost expected to renew license for 60 years of operation
U.S. Electricity Net Generation
Source: Energy Information Administration
Nuclear19%
2007
Total4,160 BkWh
807 BkWh
Nuclear Energy Plays an Important Role in US Energy Supply
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Nuclear Energy in the Obama Administration
production, more efficiency, more incentives. And that means building a new generation of safe, clean nuclear power plants in
President Obama from the State of the Union January 27, 2010
Secretary of Energy Steven Chu November 16, 2009
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U.S. Strategic Goal
Reduce U.S. CO2 emissions by 80% by 2050Very ambitious goal
Requires accurate picture of Current energy sourcesCurrent energy utilizationCO2 emissions for each economic sector
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The primary mission of the Office of Nuclear Energy is to advance nuclear power as a resource capable of making major contributions
environmental and energy security needs by resolving technical, cost, safety, security and regulatory issues through research, development and demonstration.
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Nuclear Energy Objectives
1) Develop technologies and other solutions that can improve the reliability, sustain the safety, and extend the life of current reactors.
2) Develop improvements in the affordability of new reactors to
security and climate change goals.
3) Develop sustainable fuel cycles.
4) Understanding and minimizing the risks of nuclear proliferation and terrorism.
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Small Modular Reactors A new approach to nuclear plant deployment
Establish cost-share partnerships with industry for LWR-based SMR designs which can be NRC licensed and deployed by 2020Explore advanced SMR concepts and develop advanced technologies that enable/enhance new SMR designsEmphasis on simplified operation and maintenance, enhanced functionality, and increased proliferation resistance and security Potential benefits of SMRs include:
Lower initial construction costs - can be factory fabricated
Electrical capacity can be added in increments
Flexible siting can support remote areas of grid
Support DOE greenhouse gas reduction goals
mPowerNuScale
IRIS
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Energy Innovation Hubfor Modeling & Simulation A key Secretarial Initiative
Consortium for Advanced Simulation of Light Water Reactors (CASL) selected to manage the Hub on May 28, 2010
-be used by a wide range of practitioners to conduct predictive calculations of the performance of reactors for both normal and off-Dramatically advance modeling and simulation and high
operating reactor.Improve our scientific understanding of reactor systems to increase the pace of innovation and reduce overall costs to deploy and operate.
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Bases for Fuel Cycle Research and Development Program (FCRD)
Dry cask storage is safe, and used nuclear fuel can be stored for many decades.
R&D includes work on long-term storage.The once-through fuel cycle is the baseline.
Options will be evaluated against the baseline.Final choice may include both once-through and reprocessing.
At least one repository will be needed for all options.Blue Ribbon Commission will provide recommendations that will guide FCRD.
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Issues Impacting Choices
Technology readinessSystem life-cycle costAvailability/cost of uraniumRepository issues (public support, capacity, availability, cost, geological media, etc.)Proliferation risksSocial issues (intergenerational equity, resource stewardship, repository siting, etc.)
Contributions to the Costs of Electricityfrom Operating Nuclear Power Plants
Source: Ventyx Velocity Suite; Energy ResourcesInternational via NEI, Inc.
Average cost of operating plants is approximately 2 cents per kilowatt-hour (NEI).Uranium cost will be a smaller fraction of new
plants costs.
Fuel
O&M
FuelUranium
72%
1%2%
4%
9% 12%
28%
Operations and MaintanenceConversion
Fabrication
Waste Fund
Enrichment
Uranium
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Three Potential Fuel Cycle Options
Ore recovery, refining and enrichment
Fuel
Reactor Geologic disposal of used fuel
Electricity, process heat
Once-Through (Open)
Full Recycle (Fully Closed) *
Separation
Ore recovery, refining and enrichment Fuel
Reactor
Electricity, process heat
Geologic disposal of process waste
Modified Open *
Fuel treatment
Geologic disposal of process waste
Ore recovery, refining and enrichment
Fuel
Reactor
Electricity, process heatGeologic disposal of spent
fuel (after at least one reburn)
*A specific fuel cycle strategy may include more than one fuel design, reactor design, or fuel treatment process.
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We are developing fuel cycle options and taking a science-based approach
Once-ThroughNo recycling or conditioning of used fuel
Full RecycleMultiple reprocessing stepsTransmutation of actinides
Modified Open CycleVery limited used fuel conditioning or processing Intermediate uranium utilization
MIT report on back end of the fuel cycle issuedAwaiting the report of the Blue Ribbon Commission
Fuel Cycle Associated Challenges
Low cost uranium availabilityRepository availability
Proliferation risksEnvironmental issuesCost
Limited research completed so farRepository availability, though to a lesser degree than once through
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Uranium from Seawater
Vast potential resource (>4,000 million tons U at 3.3 ppb); world demand ~ 66,000 tons U per year Extraction cost would effectively cap price of uraniumR&D off and on since 1960s in US, India, and Japan
DOE has no active R&D program; work at ORNL 1970s-early 1980s Japan maintains by far the largest effort
High production costs and inefficient recovery are barriers $900/kgU (current) - $250/kgU (projected for current Japanese technique)1
$680/kgU (an earlier approach taken by the Japanese)2
1. Adsorbent technology: Tamada et al., Cost Estimation of Uranium Recovery from Seawater with System of Braid Type Adsorbent, JAEA Transactions, 2006.
2. The process involved a TiO2
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Seawater R&D Activities in Japan60-meter Long Braid Adsorbent design
30 d
Signal for Separation
Standing in sea
Okinawa Marine Experiment 20
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Formation of Blue Ribbon Commission to Study Nuclear Fuel and Nuclear Waste Management
On January 29, Secretary of Energy Steven Chu announced the formation of a 15-person commission to conduct a comprehensive review of policies for managing the back end of the nuclear fuel cycleThe Commission will provide recommendations for developing a safe, long-nuclear fuel and nuclear wasteIt is co-chaired by former Congressman Lee Hamilton and former National Security Advisor Brent ScowcroftThe commission will produce an interim report in 18 months, and a final report no later than 24 months
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2010 MIT StudySeptember 2010
Commercial nuclear technology introduction has a long time constantCall for strong NE RD&D program now: about $1B/yr
DOE 2010 roadmap a good startLWR R&D important
e.g., innovation hub on advanced simulationAbout a third for research infrastructureLarge scale demonstrations in time
(incremental, cost-shared with industry)
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2010 MIT Study: Economics and Storage
Economics: For the next several decades, once through fuel cycle using light water reactors is the preferred economic option for the U.S.
Accelerate implementation of first mover incentive programNo shortage of uranium resourcesScientifically sound methods to manage spent nuclear fuel (SNF)Resource extension and waste management benefits of limited recycling (MOX) are minimalFuel cycle transitions take a long time: many LWRs and little difference in total transuranic inventories or uranium needs in this century in standard closed fuel cycle scenarioKey technical point: CR=1 sustainable and has advantages
Example: Could use LEU to startup fast reactor. Saves uranium and lowers enrichment needsStorage: Planning for long term managed storage of SNF for about a century should be integral with fuel cycle design
Can and should preserve options for disposal, reprocessing, recycleWhy? Major uncertainties for informed choices: Societal: NP growth? Nonproliferation norms?...Technical: fast or thermal reactors? Conversion ratio? Waste management benefits? SNF as resource or waste?...Start moving SNF from shut-down reactorsMove to centralized managed storage: not for economics or safety
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2010 MIT Study: Waste Management
Geological disposal needed for any choiceSystematically develop geological disposal, with public processIntegrate waste management with fuel cycle design: waste stream requirements as
Develop risk-informed waste management system: composition not sourceEstablish quasi-government waste management organization with the following attributes that are missing
Site selection in concert with governments/communitiesManagement of fundsNegotiate SNF/waste removal with ownersEngage policy/regulatory bodies on fuel cycle choices and wasteContinuity in management
It Will Be Decades Before We Know If LWR SNF Is a Resource or WasteLWR SNF has a high energy content
LWR SNF could be a wasteAlternative strategies to start fast reactors with sustainable fuel cycles using low-enriched uraniumAlternative strategies may have lower costs
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Support for U.S. Nuclear Power Expansion in the Energy Policy Act of 2005
Nuclear Power 2010 Government/industry cost-shared initiative Focus on technical, regulatory, and institutional barriers to building new U.S. nuclear power plants.
Financial Incentives
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Energy Policy Act of 2005Financial Incentives for First Movers
Loan GuaranteesCovers up to 80% of total project cost for up to 30 yearsPotentially reduces costs of new reactorsAvailable for new nuclear reactors (up to $18.5 billion) and front-end fuel cycle facilities (up to $2 billion)
Standby Support Delay Risk InsuranceCovers cost of certain regulatory and litigation delays, up to $2 billionAvailable for first 6 new nuclear reactors
Production Tax CreditsAllows tax credits for electricity production from advanced nuclear power facilities for an 8-year period
Allocates 1.8¢/kWh with a maximum of $125 million per each 1,000 megawatts allocated per year
National megawatt capacity limitation of 6,000 megawatts
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February 16, 2010: President Obama announces loan guarantee for new nuclear plant construction
"And this is only the beginning. My budget proposes tripling the loan guarantees we provide to help finance safe, clean nuclear facilities and we'll continue to provide financing for clean energy projects in Maryland and across America"
further than the worker and apprentices standing behind me to see the future that's possible when it comes to
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Renewed Nuclear Energy Interest
Early Site Permits: 4 early site permits approved for Clinton, Grand Gulf, North Anna sites, and Vogtle; additional permit applications filed.Construction and Operating License Applications: 18 Construction and Operating License applications for 30 new reactors have been submitted for NRC review. Areva and USEC enrichment licenses filed. Reactor Design Certifications: 2 designs in current applications certified by NRC (ABWR and AP1000); 3 new designs (ESBWR, EPR, APWR) and 1 amendment (AP1000) under NRC review.New Plant Orders: 4 plant construction contracts initiated; 9 power companies have placed large component forging orders.Plant Construction: TVA has resumed construction activities at Watts Bar 2, and reinstated construction permits for Bellefonte 1 and 2. LES enrichment plant operating.Financial Incentives: First DOE conditional loan guarantees approved for Vogtle; 3 other power companies selected for negotiations towards conditional loan guarantees. Loan guarantee ceiling proposed to increase to $54 billion in FY11. Conditional loan guarantee approved for Eagle Rock enrichment plant.
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Summary
Nuclear power remains a key element of U.S. energy strategyNP2010, loan guarantees, and other incentives have been successful in restarting nuclear power deploymentSubstantial barriers remain to the large scale construction of new nuclear power plants
the existing fleet and develop additional nuclear plant concepts
Science DiscoveryInnovation
Lower GHG
Emissions
Clean, Secure Energy
Economic Prosperity
National Security
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Closing Thoughts
energy on behalf of our efforts to combat climate change, and to
around the world to enhance cooperation on nuclear energy. President Obama has called for a new framework for civil nuclear cooperation so that all countries can access peaceful nuclear power without increasing
world-class technology, service, and experience, stand ready to contribute to the growth of civil nuclear power worldwide in a manner