Challenges for nuclear power in deregulated markets

The author provides two suggestions for consideration by the Japanese government and the Japanese people to address these challenges: If the focus of the Government of Japan and the electric utilities is only on restart of the existing nuclear plants under the very stringent current safety standards, it seems difficult to regain public trust. Changing public opinion depends on changing traditional approaches! If these entities embraced some of the new, far safer, modern plant designs, like some of the small modular reactors, then the Japanese public could realize that there will be a strong emphasis on evolution toward significantly safer nuclear systems. And if the Japanese government intends to fulfill its climate change goals, carbon reductions are required for all sectors, including electricity production, industry and transportation. Extensive international research, with strong participation from Japan, is in progress to study systems that couple the best features of nuclear and renewable energy sources, so that the two sources work together to extend clean energy to multiple sectors. Ideally, Japan will regain its past leadership in reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Effective integration of nuclear and renewable energy will be a key contributor to that success. (J.P.N.)