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Expansion of nuclear power technology to new countries – SMRs, safety culture issues, and the need for an improved international safety regime

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  • Budnitz, Robert J.
  • Rogner, H-Holger
  • Shihab-Eldin, Adnan

Abstract

This article reviews the status and prospects of nuclear power around the world and provides a perspective on the need to strengthen national and international safety regimes and bolster nuclear safety culture globally – one prerequisite for a sustained role of the technology in the future. It discusses the prospects in countries that have never deployed nuclear power before but have expressed an interest in adding it to their future national energy mixes. Many of these “newcomer” countries are considering small modular reactor (SMR) designs which hold promise for fitting better into their local electricity systems. Thus, the article considers the technical attributes of these designs and analyzes the advantages and disadvantages of SMRs with an emphasis on economics, grid compatibility and most importantly, safety. Attributes of a safety culture are discussed from social and cultural aspects, including topics of good governance and the presence of an independent national regulatory authority. Beyond the need for strong national safety regulations, the article also highlights the need to strengthen the international regulatory regime, if nuclear power is to succeed in achieving the highest levels of safety globally. Finally, the qualities of such a regime are discussed.

Suggested Citation

  • Budnitz, Robert J. & Rogner, H-Holger & Shihab-Eldin, Adnan, 2018. "Expansion of nuclear power technology to new countries – SMRs, safety culture issues, and the need for an improved international safety regime," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 119(C), pages 535-544.
  • Handle: RePEc:eee:enepol:v:119:y:2018:i:c:p:535-544
    DOI: 10.1016/j.enpol.2018.04.051
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    Citations

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    Cited by:

    1. Lin, Boqiang & Bae, Nuri & Bega, François, 2020. "China's Belt & Road Initiative nuclear export: Implications for energy cooperation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 142(C).
    2. Qiuwen Wang & Hu Zhang & Puxin Zhu, 2023. "Using Nuclear Energy for Maritime Decarbonization and Related Environmental Challenges: Existing Regulatory Shortcomings and Improvements," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 20(4), pages 1-23, February.
    3. Elaheh Shobeiri & Filippo Genco & Daniel Hoornweg & Akira Tokuhiro, 2023. "Small Modular Reactor Deployment and Obstacles to Be Overcome," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(8), pages 1-19, April.
    4. Carlo L. Vinoya & Aristotle T. Ubando & Alvin B. Culaba & Wei-Hsin Chen, 2023. "State-of-the-Art Review of Small Modular Reactors," Energies, MDPI, vol. 16(7), pages 1-30, April.
    5. Nikolaos Karanasios & Antje Tandetzky & Antonella Reitano & Marco Fazio & Elena Stavrova, 2019. "Development: Crossing the Bridge Pondering Socio-Economic and Techno-Science," Economic Alternatives, University of National and World Economy, Sofia, Bulgaria, issue 4, pages 537-548, December.
    6. Heng-ming Peng & Xiao-kang Wang & Tie-li Wang & Ya-hua Liu & Jian-qiang Wang, 2020. "A Multi-Criteria Decision Support Framework for Inland Nuclear Power Plant Site Selection under Z-Information: A Case Study in Hunan Province of China," Mathematics, MDPI, vol. 8(2), pages 1-23, February.
    7. Niwagira Daniel & Juyoul Kim, 2022. "A Study on Integrating SMRs into Uganda’s Future Energy System," Sustainability, MDPI, vol. 14(16), pages 1-21, August.
    8. Young Jin Kim & Byung Jin Lee & Kunwoo Yi & Yoon Jae Choe & Min Chul Lee, 2020. "Numerical Study on the Effects of Relative Diameters on the Performance of Small Modular Reactors Driven by Natural Circulation," Energies, MDPI, vol. 13(22), pages 1-17, November.
    9. Rothwell, Geoffrey, 2022. "Projected electricity costs in international nuclear power markets," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 164(C).
    10. Carrara, Samuel, 2020. "Reactor ageing and phase-out policies: global and regional prospects for nuclear power generation," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 147(C).
    11. Greco, Marco & Grimaldi, Michele & Locatelli, Giorgio & Serafini, Mattia, 2021. "How does open innovation enhance productivity? An exploration in the construction ecosystem," Technological Forecasting and Social Change, Elsevier, vol. 168(C).

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