Comparative assessment of energy sources for electricity generation in Slovakia

The inter-agency joint project on databases and methodologies for comparative assessment of different energy sources for electricity generation (DECADES), managed by the IAEA, focuses on the comparison of databases and modelling methods for electricity generating systems of different countries. One of the main targets of the project is the assessment of the environmental impacts of electricity generating systems. The work of the Slovakian group participating in the DECADES project focused on the following: (1) Collecting information on the technical and economic characteristics of electricity generation chains operating or expected to be implemented in Slovakia; and collecting data on emissions, burdens and residuals from these chains, as well as establishing a Slovakian database using the computer structure of the DECADES reference technology database (RTDB). (2) Reviewing the present environmental protection legislation in Slovakia and assessing its impacts on the choice of an electricity generation mix. (3) Assessing the potential impacts of ratifying the Second Sulphur Protocol and/or the Framework Convention on Climate Change on the electricity policy of Slovakia. In particular, the role of nuclear power in facilitating compliance with these stringent environmental regulations has been assessed. (author). 4 refs, 7 tabs