Nuclear Versus Coal plus CCS: a Comparison of Two Competitive Base-Load Climate Control Options

Abstract

SummaryIn this paper we analyze the relative importance and mutual behavior of two competing base-load electricity generation options that each are capable of contributing significantly to the abatement of global CO2 emissions: nuclear energy and coal-based power production complemented with CO2 capture and storage (CCS). We also investigate how, in scenarios from an integrated assessment model that simulates the economics of a climate-constrained world, the prospects for nuclear energy would change if exogenous limitations on the spread of nuclear technology were relaxed. Using the climate change economics model WITCH we find that until 2050 the resulting growth rates of nuclear electricity generation capacity become comparable to historical rates observed during the 1980s. Given that nuclear energy continues to face serious challenges and contention, we inspect how extensive the improvements of coal-based power equipped with CCS technology would need to be if our model is to significantly scale down the construction of new nuclear power plants. Keywords

The Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Ion Exchange Properties of Caesium-Selective Ammonium Phosphomolybdate-Polyacrylonitrile (AMP-PAN) Composites under Spent Fuel Recycling Conditions

“…Nuclear power will be essential to meet the targets of the Paris agreement, reducing carbon emissions to prevent the further warming of planet Earth [1]. However, nuclear fission reactions generate hazardous medium-and long-lived radionuclide by-products [2].…”

The Effect of Gamma Irradiation on the Physiochemical Properties of Caesium-Selective Ammonium Phosphomolybdate–Polyacrylonitrile (AMP–PAN) Composites

“…In order to prevent catastrophic climate change, we must decrease our reliance on or even cease the use of fossil fuels for the generation of power and potentially other applications such as maritime shipping [1] to prevent further warming of the Earth [2]. Nuclear fission is a zero-carbon power source with the capability to completely replace fossil fuels as our electrical base load, but for sustainable increase in usage, we must reconsider the implementation of the nuclear fuel cycle to include efficient recycling of spent fuel to maximise the efficiency of finite fissile materials.…”

Electrochemical Carbon Dioxide Capture and Concentration

“…The stretch observed at 1686 cm -1 was attributed to interactions with cobaltocenium cation, which is more likely to interact and stabilize the CO2 adduct than the tetrabutylammonium cations present in SEC-IR studies. When the same experiments were repeated in the absence of CO2, the 13 C NMR and IR signals were not observed, which indicated CO2 binding occurs at one or both anionic oxygen atoms upon reduction of PAQ to PAQ 2-. With this information, along with the experimentally determined 2:1 ratio of CO2:PAQ 2-, Mizen and Wrighton proposed an ECEC mechanism for the reaction, whereby two molecules of CO2 are bound through the two oxygen atoms of PAQ 2-.…”

“…This species featured a 13 C NMR peak between 156-158 ppm in CD3CN or DMSO-d6, suggesting formation of an alkyl carbonate. Infrared spectroscopy further confirmed this assessment, exhibiting carbonyl stretches at 1646 and 1686 cm -1 when cobaltocene was used as the reductant.…”

“…11,12 However, in order to meet the Paris agreement, not only would all "point-source" processes need to approach net-zero carbon emissions, but emissions from other distributed sources also need to be significantly reduced or eliminated. 13 Direct air capture (DAC) of CO2 represents a carbon-negative technology that could further act to lower emissions from non-point-source emitters. 14,15 There are currently fewer commercialized DAC processes (19 plants operating worldwide), and those that do exist are relatively small-scale, although DAC is currently receiving increased levels of attention and monetary support from both public-and private-sector organizations.…”