CO2 emissions of nuclear power and renewable energies: a statistical analysis of European and global data

Abstract

In this paper, we investigate the CO2 emissions caused by nuclear and renewable power generation. The knowledge of the share of coal, gas and oil in electricity generation permits the exact calculation of the related CO2 emissions. In addition, there is a second approach especially within the economic sciences, which applies statistical techniques for the study of the energy-related emissions. The background for these studies is the provision of general political advice and the expectation that political, cultural, or infrastructural considerations guide nations in the preference and choice of specific technologies. In this paper, we are applying both approaches and come to the certain conclusion, that nuclear power is as effective as renewable power in order to reduce the CO2 emissions. Our results are in complete contradiction to a recent publication (Sovacool et al. in Nat Energy 5:928–935, 2020. 10.1038/s41560-020-00696-3). The authors of this paper conclude that nuclear power does not reduce the CO2 emissions, but renewable power efficiently does. In addition, they argue that these two technologies crowd out each other. The possible reason for their claims may result from a specific conditioning of the data. In contrast, our analysis clearly confirms the adequacy of both nuclear and renewable power generation.

Nuclear energy transition and CO2 emissions nexus in 28 nuclear electricity-producing countries with different income levels

“…The nuclear energy transition (NET it ) reduces emissions in UMI, HI, and the full panel. The empirical literature has also corroborated that NEC reduced emissions in the panel of nuclear-producing countries ( Iwata, Okada & Samreth, 2012 ; Alam, 2013 ; Lau et al, 2019 ; Saidi & Omri, 2020 ; Hassan et al, 2020 ; Azam et al, 2021 ; Kim, 2021 ; Baek & Pride, 2014 ; Vo et al, 2020 ; Wagner, 2021 ; Apergis et al, 2010 ). In a comparison, NET it has a greater magnitude of effect in HI countries compared to UMI countries.…”

“…Another stream of literature has tested the NEC and pollutant emissions nexus in the panel of nuclear electricity-producing countries. NEC helped in reducing emissions in 25 countries ( Alam, 2013 ), 18 OECD countries ( Lau et al, 2019 ), 15 OECD countries ( Saidi & Omri, 2020 ), 20 OECD countries ( Richmond & Kaufman, 2006 ), 11 OECD countries ( Iwata, Okada & Samreth, 2012 ), G-7 ( Nathaniel et al, 2021 ), 12 countries ( Baek, 2015 ), in BRICS ( Hassan et al, 2020 ), 10 highest emitting countries ( Azam et al, 2021 ), 16 countries ( Kim, 2021 ), 10 countries ( Baek & Pride, 2014 ), 18 countries contributing 95% nuclear reactors globally ( Lee, Kim & Lee, 2017 ), nine countries ( Vo et al, 2020 ), Europe and the globe ( Wagner, 2021 ), and 19 countries ( Apergis et al, 2010 ). On the other hand, some studies could not validate the effect of NEC on pollution emissions in the panel analyses ( Saidi & Ben Mbarek, 2016 ; Al-mulali, 2014 ; Sovacool et al, 2020 ; Jin & Kim, 2018 ; Pao & Chen, 2019 ).…”

An attempt of reproduction of Sovacool et al.’s “Differences in carbon emissions reduction between countries pursuing renewable electricity versus nuclear power”

“…Similarly, Wagner [13] has recently obtained results in direct contradiction to the conclusions drawn by Sovacool et al This paper provides supplementary criticism for the validity of the conclusions of [11] and concludes that "both, nuclear and renewable power allow a reduction of national CO 2 emission levels. [.…”

“…As previously noted, Sovacool et al's paper [11] has been discussed by different authors [12,13]. Let us briefly state some of the main arguments these authors have made regarding this matter.…”

“…Similarly, Wagner [13] attempted to reproduce the results of Sovacool et al on different data sets, namely a compilation of datasets of 26 European countries (we refer the reader to ( [13], Appendix B) for the detailed sources and reliability controls performed on these databases) and two world-wide databases extracted from the IEA data bank [24]. In his paper, Wagner points out that…”