NUCLEAR ENERGY — AN OVERVIEW

NUCLEAR ENERGY — AN OVERVIEW
 
The demand for energy in the United States is expected to rise in the coming

decades. By the year 2030, demand for electricity is expected to grow 16 to

30 percent higher than 2010 levels.

Today, 104 nuclear reactors provide low-cost, carbon-free electricity to help drive the

American economy and preserve the environment. Nuclear energy provides about

20 percent of total U.S. electricity, but 70 percent of its carbon-free electricity. In

addition, nuclear power plants do not release air pollutants, providing an important

option for improving air quality.

Globally, nuclear energy is undergoing renewed growth, with 65 new reactors under

construction in 15 countries. In the United States, a renewed interest in nuclear

energy has resulted in blueprints for the first new nuclear power

plants in over 30 years. License applications have been submitted

to construct 26 new nuclear reactors in the United States.

The Department of Energy’s (DOE) Office of Nuclear Energy

(NE) conducts research and technology development that will

enable nuclear energy to continue to deliver large quantities of

safe, reliable electricity to the marketplace well into the future.

DOE-NE is also researching options to address used nuclear fuel

management and nonproliferation challenges.

he demand for energy in the United States is expected to rise in the coming

A RECORD OF DISTINCTION

Over the past 15 years, consolidation of plant ownership to a smaller

number of operators has made U.S. nuclear reactors:

•

Safer,

•

More cost-effective, and

•

Efficiency improvements and power uprates have allowed existing

U.S. nuclear plants to produce more energy than in previous decades,

adding the equivalent of nearly 5 to 6 new nuclear reactors to the

electrical grid. U.S. nuclear plants were available to produce energy

approximately 70 percent of the time on average in the early 1990s,

but are now producing power closer to 90 percent of the time. As a

result of this success, nearly all U.S. nuclear plants are expected to

apply for renewed licenses that will keep most plants in operation

well into the middle of the century.

DOE’S ROLE

NE’s primary mission is to advance nuclear power as a resource capable of making

major contributions in meeting our Nation’s energy supply, environmental, and

energy security needs by resolving technical, cost, safety, security and regulatory

issues through research, development and demonstration. By focusing on the

development of advanced nuclear technologies, NE supports the Administration’s

goals of providing domestic sources of secure energy, reducing greenhouse gases,

and enhancing national security.

NE’s research is guided by the four research objectives detailed in its Nuclear Energy

Research and Development Roadmap:

1.

sustain the safety, and extend the life of current reactors.

Develop technologies and other solutions that can improve the reliability,

2.

energy to help meet the Administration’s energy security and climate

change goals.

Develop improvements in the affordability of new reactors to enable nuclear

3.

Develop sustainable fuel cycles.

4.

NE serves present and future U.S. energy needs by developing critical technologies

for the future and helping to train tomorrow’s workforce. The benefits of nuclear

power as a safe, low-carbon, reliable, and secure source of energy make it an

essential element in our Nation’s energy and environmental future.
Understand and minimize the risks of nuclear proliferation and terrorism.More reliable.UCLEAR ENERGY — AN OVERVIEW