05/00660 Nuclear power and the characteristics of ‘ordinariness’ — the case of UK energy policy

2005 ◽  
Vol 46 (2) ◽  
pp. 98
Keyword(s):  
Energy Policy ◽  
Nuclear Power

scholarly journals The weak data on the water–energy nexus in Spain

Water Policy ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 21 (2) ◽  
pp. 382-393 ◽  
Author(s):  
Diego Sesma-Martín ◽  
M. d. Mar Rubio-Varas
Keyword(s):  
Water Supply ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Electricity Generation ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Power Plants ◽  
Policy Instruments ◽  
Policy Agenda ◽  
Sources Of Information ◽  
Water Energy Nexus ◽  
Striking Fact

Abstract This paper focuses on the fact that the water–energy nexus remains an irrelevant issue on the energy policy agenda and on the priorities of the energy leaders in Spain. This is a striking fact given that this takes place in the most arid country in Europe, where almost two-thirds of electricity generation would have to be halted in the absence of an adequate water supply. We contend that part of the explanation may lie in the lack of official statistics and inconsistent sources of information on the water–energy nexus in Spain. To illustrate this point, we provide examples of the uneven data available for one of the most intensive freshwater users in the thermoelectric sector in Spain: nuclear power plants. Our research demonstrates the need for improved indicators as policy instruments in the water–energy nexus in Spain since it is impossible to improve what cannot be measured.

scholarly journals Are SMR a Reasonable Choice for Switzerland? An Application of the INCAS Model

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sara Boarin ◽  
Giorgio Locatelli ◽  
Mauro Mancini ◽  
Marco E. Ricotti
Keyword(s):  
Energy Policy ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Net Present Value ◽  
Stochastic Approach ◽  
Financial Economic ◽  
Sunk Costs ◽  
Unbiased Estimation ◽  
Parliamentary Debate ◽  
The Difference ◽  
Safety Features

Small countries can represent a suitable market for Small Medium Reactors (SMR). Among them Switzerland is one the more interesting since already hosts five commercial nuclear reactors; three of them are SMR (about 370 MWe) and two are large units (985 and 1165 MWe). Since the oldest units are about 40 year-old the Swiss utilities wereplanning to replace them while adding new nuclear power capacity to the portfolio mix.. Most recently, a radical re-thinking of the country energy policy is taking place as a Fukushima accident’s aftermath. Debate is about abandoning nuclear power and replacing it with renewable new capacity and import. “Economiesuisse, the umbrella organisation for Swiss business, considers a premature abandonment of atomic energy <irresponsible>. Without valid alternatives, Economiesuisse warns, abandoning the nuclear option will have serious consequences for Swiss industry”. Also “the environmental organisationsrecognise that the discussion on energy policy — which will really heat up with the parliamentary debate in June — is not solely an ideological one. Financial and economic considerations are likely to make all the difference” (L.Jorio, “What price a future without nuclear energy?”, www.swissinfo.ch, May 17, 2011).An objective and unbiased estimation of the cost of new nuclear power is essential to Policy Makers and a focus on SMR economic potential is a further contribution to the debate. SMR advanced passive safety features may cope with public concerns about safety, which has become a priority. Polimi’s INCAS model has been developed to compare the investment in SMR respect to LR and is able to assess the financial/economic indicators arising from these two alternative investment options. In particular the INCAS model provides the value of IRR (Internal Rate of Return), NPV (Net Present Value), Upfront investment, etc. A stochastic approach to the data elaboration and the implementation of a Montecarlo analysis provide the evaluation of the investment risk profile. Results show that investment returns are comparable for LR and SMR; however SMR require a lower upfront investment, thus representing lower sunk costs and more affordable and scalable investment option than monolithic LR.

scholarly journals Potential Consequences of the Energiewende for the Manufacturing Sector in Germany

2015 ◽  
Vol 48 (1) ◽  
pp. 7-20
Author(s):  
Hubertus Bardt
Keyword(s):  
Energy Policy ◽  
Value Chain ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Manufacturing Sector ◽  
Renewable Energy Sources ◽  
German Economy ◽  
German Industry ◽  
Energy Prices ◽  
Energy Turnaround ◽  
The Future

Abstract2 The abandonment of nuclear power and new focus on renewable energy sources represents a fundamental change in the structure of Germany’s electricity supply. In the wake of this change in energy policy (which is widely referred to as an energy turnaround), prices started to rise immediately and further increases are to be expected in the years ahead. For the manufacturing sector, this cost burden has been mitigated by exempting energy-intensive sectors from additional costs. However, this causes high levels of uncertainty for large electricity consumers as their current exceptional status may be called into question at some point in the future. Moreover, the price and cost effects of the German energy policy are not only restricted to energy-intensive enterprises. The metal production, parts of the chemical industry and other industries closely linked to electricity consumers in a complex value chain face higher price and cost risks, as do large segments of the manufacturing sector, which work closely with energy-intensive companies. These dense networks are critical in the joint development of innovations, one of the German industry’s main competitive advantages. This strength of the German economy may turn into a risk if the future of electricity-intensive industries is hampered by rising national energy prices. A potential relocation of energy-intensive companies to other countries would also weaken the competitiveness of other areas of German industry. Such risks need to be compared with new market opportunities provided by the energy turnaround. The industry seeks those opportunities especially in renewable energies and techniques for improving energy efficiency.

An Assessment of the 107th U.S. Congress Energy Policy Debate in the History of Energy Use and Development in the United States

2002 ◽  
Author(s):  
Royce M. Reinecke
Keyword(s):  
United States ◽  
Energy Policy ◽  
Nuclear Power ◽  
Energy Use ◽  
Developed Countries ◽  
The United States ◽  
Policy Debate ◽  
Global Perspectives ◽  
Energy Needs ◽  
Conversion Technologies

The national energy policy debate in the 107th US Congress may mark a significant milestone in the development of energy use and conversion technologies in the United States. It has been said that the result of this congressional energy policy debate was an expensive statements that, despite proposed tax breaks and subsidies for everything from solar power and hybrid cars to coal and nuclear power, may accomplish little — with not much either on the supply or the demand side that’s going to make any difference to the American public. This paper provides an insider assessment of how the debate developed, what energy policy decisions were or were not made, and what the implications are for the development of energy use and conversion technologies going forward. This debate may represent the final exhaustive struggle of long-held, but misguided, ineffectual and limited-vision policies that date to the 1970s. In combination with the September 11 events, this stalemate may open the door to new, fresh, global perspectives on meeting the energy needs of people throughout the world, including in lesser developed countries such as Afghanistan. Engineers and entrepreneurs are advised to understand the seminal implications of the 107th congressional energy policy debate on future energy use and conversion technologies.

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