The greenhouse gas emissions of nuclear energy – Life cycle assessment of a European pressurised reactor

Pomponi, Francesco; Hart, Jim

doi:10.1016/j.apenergy.2021.116743

Cited by 34 publications

(20 citation statements)

References 48 publications

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“…Plant construction requirements may span wide ranges, especially in terms of material inputs. Figure S4 (in the SI) shows ranges found in literature from various sources. ,− To consider the variability in material and energy inputs during the construction phase, average values were retained and then multiplied by an “intensity factor” (range 0.5–2.0). While each bulk material input could be parameterized independently, this would unnecessarily encumber the model with supposedly dependent variables.…”

Section: Parameterization Of the Lcimentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Kadiyala et al gathered 50 estimates, of which 24 overlap with ref , the remaining was either excluded at the screening phase in ref or not available yet at the time of publication. In addition to these 125 single estimates, 18 more were collected from more recent publications. − The literature review from ref was excluded as it does not provide each study’s characteristics in a systematic manner, apart from the source, year, and default life cycle GHG emission value (or a minimum–maximum range) which did not allow for cross-parameter comparison. The full compilation (including ref ) of 275 published estimates is available in the Supporting Information (SI).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Parametric Life Cycle Assessment of Nuclear Power for Simplified Models

Gibon,

Hahn Menacho

2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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Electrifying the global economy is accepted as a main decarbonization lever to reach the Paris Agreement targets. The IEA’s 2050 Net Zero transition pathways all involve some degree of nuclear power, highlighting its potential as a low-carbon electricity source. Greenhouse gas emissions of nuclear power reported in the life cycle assessment literature vary widely, from a few grams of CO 2 equivalents to more than 100 g/kWh, globally. The reasons for such a variation are often misunderstood when reported and used by policymakers. To fill this gap, one can make LCA models explicit, exploring the role of the most significant parameters, and develop simplified models for the scientific community, policymakers, and the public. We developed a parametric cradle-to-grave life cycle model with 20 potentially significant variables: ore grade, extraction technique, enrichment technique, and power plant construction requirements, among others. Average GHG emissions of global nuclear power in 2020 are found to be 6.1 g CO 2 equiv/kWh, whereas pessimistic and optimistic scenarios provide extreme values of 5.4–122 g CO 2 equiv/kWh. We also provide simplified models, one per environmental impact indicator, which can be used to estimate environmental impacts of electricity generated by a pressurized water reactor without running the full-scale model.

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Section: Parameterization Of the Lcimentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Parametric Life Cycle Assessment of Nuclear Power for Simplified Models

Gibon,

Hahn Menacho

2023

Environ. Sci. Technol.

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“…The practice of life cycle assessment proves valuable in quantifying the environmental impacts of various products, processes, or technologies throughout their different life cycle stages [24]. In previous study, Pomponi [25] research about life cycle assessment of pressurized reactor European area using nuclear power plant in UK to investigates the greenhouse gas emissions. While Wang [26] compare nuclear power plant to other renewable energy like hydro and wind power and obtain comparation between several type of environmental impacts which is global warming potential (GWP), acidification potential (AP), Eutrophication Potential (EP), and Photochemical ozone creation potential (POCP).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Comparative assessment of the environmental impact of nuclear power plant technology using life cycle assessment approach: A review

Pratiwi,

Nasruddin,

Sasongko

2023

IOP Conf. Ser.: Earth Environ. Sci.

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Nuclear power plants (NPP) are being considered as an alternative energy that could reducing greenhouse gas emissions. However, there are various challenges that need to be addressed regarding the variation of current nuclear technology such as environmental impact issues. To ensure the sustainability and effectiveness of nuclear power plants technology, a Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) approach can be used to study the environmental impacts of the nuclear power plant. LCA is a method for evaluating the environmental impact of a product or process from start to finish. By conducting a preliminary LCA study of each Nuclear Power Plant technologies, the environmental impacts of the stages of construction, operation, and management of radioactive waste can be understood. This study can also help compare the environmental impacts of nuclear power plants with other energy technologies. This preliminary study will review the environmental impact from pressurized water reactor, boiling water reactor, molten salt reactor, and compare with conventional coal power plant to provide compact summary of the technology. The results of the LCA study can help identify areas that require more attention in the development of nuclear power plants in Indonesia.

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“…Nuclear technology is a competitor of oil in electricity production after the oil crisis of the 1970s ( Toth & Rogner, 2006 ) and NEC has the ability to replace fossil fuels effectively and quickly ( Sovacool, 2008 ). In 2020, 10% of global electricity is produced from nuclear ( Pomponi & Hart, 2021 ) and NEC covers around 4.3% of total primary energy demand ( BP, 2021a ).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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

Mahmood¹

2022

PeerJ

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Background Nuclear energy carries the least environmental effects compared to fossil fuels and most other renewable energy sources. Therefore, nuclear energy transition (NET) would reduce pollution emissions. The present study investigates the role of the NET on CO2 emissions and tests the environmental Kuznets curve (EKC) in the 28 nuclear electricity-producing countries from 1996–2019. Methods Along with a focus on the whole panel, countries are divided into three income groups using the World Bank classification, i.e., three Lower-Middle-Income (LMI), eight Upper-Middle-Income (UMI), and 17 High-Income (HI) countries. The cross-sectional dependence panel data estimation techniques are applied for the long and short run analyses. Results In the long run, the EKC is corroborated in HI countries’ panel with estimated positive and negative coefficients of economic growth and its square variable. The Netherlands, Sweden, Switzerland, and the USA are found in the 2nd stage of the EKC. However, the remaining HI economies are facing 1st phase of the EKC. Moreover, economic growth has a monotonic positive effect on CO2 emissions in LMI and UMI economies. NET reduces CO2 emissions in UMI and HI economies. On the other hand, NET has an insignificant effect on CO2 emissions in LMI economies. In the short run, the EKC is validated and NET has a negative effect on CO2 emissions in HI countries and the whole panel. However, NET could not affect CO2 emissions in LMI and UMI countries. Based on the long-run results, we recommend enhancing nuclear energy transition in UMI and HI economies to reduce CO2 emissions. In addition, the rest of the world should also build capacity for the nuclear energy transition to save the world from global warming.

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The greenhouse gas emissions of nuclear energy – Life cycle assessment of a European pressurised reactor

Cited by 34 publications

References 48 publications

Parametric Life Cycle Assessment of Nuclear Power for Simplified Models

Parametric Life Cycle Assessment of Nuclear Power for Simplified Models

Comparative assessment of the environmental impact of nuclear power plant technology using life cycle assessment approach: A review

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

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The greenhouse gas emissions of nuclear energy – Life cycle assessment of a European pressurised reactor

Cited by 34 publications

References 48 publications

Parametric Life Cycle Assessment of Nuclear Power for Simplified Models

Parametric Life Cycle Assessment of Nuclear Power for Simplified Models

Comparative assessment of the environmental impact of nuclear power plant technology using life cycle assessment approach: A review

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

Contact Info

Product

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