Energy for the future: the nuclear option

Although the contribution from renewable energy sources has grown significantly since the beginning of the nineties the demand for electricity cannot be satisfied realistically without the nuclear contribution. The safety of nuclear power plants, disposal of waste, the possible proliferation and extremist's threats are all issues of serious concerns. In response to safety concerns, the nuclear industry has developed efficient technological responses on short, medium and long terms. The generation III of reactors has been developed that features advanced safety technology with the aim that in the extremely unlikely event of reactor-core melt down all radioactive material would be retained inside the containment system. The generation IV reactors will be designed to be inherently safe. Accelerator driven system offers the possibility of the transmutation of plutonium and minor actinides that pose the main long-term radioactive hazards of today's fission reactors. Fusion reactors will produce energy by fusing deuterium and tritium without generating long-lived radioactive waste. As conclusion we can say that nuclear power can and should make an important contribution to a mix of energy sources having low CO2 emission. (A.C.)