EnACT
Improving the Approach to Nuclear Energy in the U.S
Location
Room #3 (A117)
Document Type
Presentation
Type
EnACT
UN Sustainable Development Goal
UNSDG #7: Affordable and Clean Energy
Start Date
26-4-2023 11:25 AM
End Date
26-4-2023 11:40 AM
Abstract
The goal of our Student Leadership Exchange project is to address the challenges of climate change and sustainable zero carbon emission energy sources by focusing on the approach to Nuclear Energy in the United States.
Climate change is one of the greatest problems of modern society. There are various contributing factors to climate change, but it is largely accepted that one of our primary approaches should be to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 to stay under 1.5*C of warming. The largest source of carbon emissions is fossil fuels, so we must transition to net zero energy if we want to meet U.N sustainability goals 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and 13 Climate Action.
Nuclear energy has been repeatedly emphasized as an important part of a just transition away from carbon based energy. It can provide electricity on demand, where renewables presently struggle, and in their current state produces enough green energy to replace coal and natural gas. This makes it an ideal source of energy to implement now while renewable energy is being developed. Nuclear is especially ideal because nuclear reactors have similar requirements as fossil fuels, such as in jobs, transmission, and cooling, so the infrastructure requires less development than the current state of renewables.
Despite the necessity of nuclear power, the current state of nuclear fleets globally do not meet the criteria for the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero energy plan. Development is behind and the contribution of nuclear power to the world power supply, while high, is still not where it needs to be. We decided to focus on this issue as it pertains to the U.S nuclear fleet.
The overarching problem with the nuclear fleet is the amount of new nuclear power. Development of advanced reactors has been slow and unprofitable and there are not many ideal zones for implementing older models. To address this, we are investigating 4 approaches: transforming coal fired power plants into nuclear power plants, increased funding or tax benefits to encourage building and keeping reactors online, improving old reactors beyond mandatory maintenance upgrades, and facilitating the development of new reactor models.
By improving the state of the U.S nuclear fleet, the transition to clean energy will be more just and feasible, helping us reach our climate goals.
Improving the Approach to Nuclear Energy in the U.S
Room #3 (A117)
The goal of our Student Leadership Exchange project is to address the challenges of climate change and sustainable zero carbon emission energy sources by focusing on the approach to Nuclear Energy in the United States.
Climate change is one of the greatest problems of modern society. There are various contributing factors to climate change, but it is largely accepted that one of our primary approaches should be to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2050 to stay under 1.5*C of warming. The largest source of carbon emissions is fossil fuels, so we must transition to net zero energy if we want to meet U.N sustainability goals 7 Affordable and Clean Energy and 13 Climate Action.
Nuclear energy has been repeatedly emphasized as an important part of a just transition away from carbon based energy. It can provide electricity on demand, where renewables presently struggle, and in their current state produces enough green energy to replace coal and natural gas. This makes it an ideal source of energy to implement now while renewable energy is being developed. Nuclear is especially ideal because nuclear reactors have similar requirements as fossil fuels, such as in jobs, transmission, and cooling, so the infrastructure requires less development than the current state of renewables.
Despite the necessity of nuclear power, the current state of nuclear fleets globally do not meet the criteria for the International Energy Agency’s Net Zero energy plan. Development is behind and the contribution of nuclear power to the world power supply, while high, is still not where it needs to be. We decided to focus on this issue as it pertains to the U.S nuclear fleet.
The overarching problem with the nuclear fleet is the amount of new nuclear power. Development of advanced reactors has been slow and unprofitable and there are not many ideal zones for implementing older models. To address this, we are investigating 4 approaches: transforming coal fired power plants into nuclear power plants, increased funding or tax benefits to encourage building and keeping reactors online, improving old reactors beyond mandatory maintenance upgrades, and facilitating the development of new reactor models.
By improving the state of the U.S nuclear fleet, the transition to clean energy will be more just and feasible, helping us reach our climate goals.