System dynamics studies of advanced fuel cycle scenarios

This work describes dynamic analysis studies of possible U.S. deployment scenarios of advanced nuclear energy systems. Different scenarios of future nuclear energy demand and different spent nuclear fuel management strategies to respond to those demands are considered. The management strategies include once-through, limited recycling, and transitional and sustained recycling strategies. The scenarios descriptions, data, timeline, and analysis are provided. Comparisons between the once-through and the recycling strategies show that the continuation of the current once-through fuel cycle practice can lead to unfavorable consequences as the demand for nuclear energy increase in the US. Those consequences include substantial increase in the number of geologic repository sites, continued accumulation of weapons-usable materials, and inefficient use of limited uranium resources. The analysis presented here shows that those concerns can only be addressed by employing an advanced fuel cycle. (author)