Nucleus 03 /2002 edition

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Nucleus 03/2002 edition features: Nuclear energy remains the fastest growing primary energy sector Data for Europe Increase of greenhouse gas emissions Data for the whole World Yucca Mountain high level waste repository given green light Finnish poll supports nuclear decision.

Nuclear energy remains the fastest growing primary energy sector

Oil company BP (www.bp.com) has published its annual energy review. According to their data nuclear energy remains the fastest growing among the major primary energy sectors.

Share of nuclear energy in total primary energy consumption increased from 6.43 in 2000 to 6.59% in 2001. Ten years ago in 1991 it was only 5.83%.

Data for Europe Increase of greenhouse gas emissions
• Total nuclear energy consumption increased by 2.97% in last year (faster than gas with 2.45%!) or 20.32% in ten years.• Share of nuclear energy in total primary energy consumption increased from 11.64% in 2000 to 11.88% in 2001. Ten years ago in 1991 it was only 10,56%.

Increase of greenhouse gas emissions
Two graphs on the next page show the change in greenhouse emissions due to the use of fossil primary energy sources coal, oil and gas. The first graph clearly shows, that global use of fossil fuels (Energy equivalent) in last ten years increased by 10.7% and that the corresponding release greenhouse gasses (Ceq - Carbon equivalent) increased by 9% in the same period.

Data for the whole World
• Total nuclear energy consumption increased by 2.77% last year or 26.6% in ten years since 1991. This is much faster growth than gas energy consumption (19.6% since 1991).

Yucca Mountain high level waste repository given green light
The US Senate has approved in the beginning of July the designation of Yucca Mountain, Nevada as the site for a national repository for spent fuel and high-level radioactive waste. Approval of the resolution, which was passed without a formal vote, paves the way for the Department of Energy to prepare and file a license application with the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) and to begin developing a transport policy and plan. The resolution has already been approved by the House of Representatives. The Senate decision means both houses of Congress have now formally over-ruled objections by the state of Nevada to the nomination of the site by President George Bush. The approval of the Yucca Mountain is very important positive milestone for the nuclear industry not only in USA, but worldwide. The issue of radioactive waste disposal is one of the major contributors to the negative perception about nuclear industry in general public. Although technical solutions are available for number of years now, the lack of political will to start the process of final disposal prevented opening of high level waste repositories. With the recent decision of the Senate United States of America are following Finland, where they have approved high level repository site several months ago. Once the process of high-level waste disposal is started in several countries, it is to expect that nuclear power will gradually become more socially acceptable. (NucNet news).

Finnish poll supports nuclear decision.
A clear majority of Finns supports the parliamentary decision to build a new power reactor in the country. Some 78% thought that substantial dependence on electricity imported from Russia was a problem, though opinions on the most important criteria for electricity production were varied among price, environmental concerns, security of supply and self-sufficiency. Overall 55% approved of the parliamentary vote, 31% opposed it and others were undecided. (NucNet news).