DecommissioningIntroduction Figure 1: UK Magnox power plant in Bradwell enters Care and Maintenance, where it will be left to decay before final demolition. (Source: UK Government. Reproduced under open license) All nuclear facilities have a finite operating life. For commercial nuclear power plants, this is typically 30 – 60 years. Around the world, over 115…
Energy Nuclear energy is a key component of the energy mix around the world. There are more than 400 nuclear power plants in operation, seventy under construction and several dozen new projects are under study. How does a nuclear power plant work? Figure 1: The different components of a Pressurised Water Reactor (PWR) power plant.…
Food and agricultureNuclear technology for food and agriculture It is expected that by 2050, the world’s population will have increased by one-third, with the highest increase occurring in developing countries; and with it, our needs for sustainable food and water as well. Nuclear technologies provide competitive and often unique solutions to help fight hunger and…
Industrial applications Nuclear technology is a major contributor to industrial development and it is present in many aspects of our daily lives. Neutron Transmutation Doped silicon: The What, why and how Figure 1: Silicon is irradiated with neutrons, resulting in transmutation into a stable 31P isotope.2 Computers, wind turbines, photovoltaic panels, high-speed trains, hybrid cars:…
Innovation The applications of nuclear are continually being furthered by innovative research. Clean energy futures In order to provide a reliable baseload supply to the energy grid which is also a clean, low carbon source of energy, nuclear power is required. Three generations of nuclear reactors have provided clean electricity for over 50 years, however…