Developments for the nuclear energy of tomorrow

The first asset of nuclear energy is its competitiveness but this energy frightens and the general public has the feeling that it is impossible to manage radioactive wastes properly. If, from now to 20 years, competitiveness continues improving, nuclear plants stay beyond reproach concerning nuclear safety, and satisfactorily solutions have been found for wastes, so nuclear energy will face again a promising future. In this framework, the main axis of technological research are: 1) the optimization of the current technologies involved in nuclear industry in order to reduce risks, operating costs and the volume of wastes produced; 2) the feasibility studies of long-term underground storage, of separation and transmutation of actinides; 3) the recycling of plutonium; 4) the replacement of the present nuclear reactor park; and 5) the study of a broad range of safe and compact reactors dedicated to a various range of applications from hydrogen production to desalination of sea water. (A.C.)