Energy demands and the nuclear role

In 2001, the time appeared to be propitious for nuclear energy with the just released energy policy in the US and an increased support for nuclear energy in American opinion polls. However the subsequent two years have not been especially good for nuclear energy due to increased concerns for safety and proliferation. The paper offers some ideas about future energy trends in order to set the context in which innovation must succeed. The drivers of energy demand are identified and the implications for different energy sources in particular, for electricity generation are analysed. It is concluded that innovation is most important to ensure that nuclear energy is a substantial contributor to a carbon-constrained, sustainable energy future. (author)