scholarly journals Do proposed regulatory approaches for commercialfusion energy jeopardize successful technologydeployment?

2021 ◽  
pp. 40-45
Author(s):  
R. Patrick White ◽  
Liam Hines
Keyword(s):  
Energy Source ◽  
Public Safety ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
Fusion Technology ◽  
Near Term ◽  
Start Ups

Fusion energy has long been touted as an energy source capable of producing large amounts of clean energy without the fuel, pollution, siting, and safety constraints of other energy sources. Despite this promise, fusion energy has not come to fruition after six decades of research and development due to continuing scientific and technical challenges. Significant private investment in commercial fusion start-ups signals a renewed interest in the prospects of near-term development of fusion technology. Successful deployment of fusion energy, however, will require an appropriate regulatory framework to ensure public safety and economic viability. Initial discussions and proposals from fusion start-ups (e.g., Commonwealth Fusion Systems, General Fusion, TAE Technologies) and industry associations (e.g., Fusion Industry Association)have advocated the use of risk-informed regulations as the basis for the licensing of commercial fusion technology in the United States. These proposals are based, in part, on regulatory methods used for licensing commercial fission technology that developed in parallel with the commercial fission industry. Risk-informed regulations incorporate risk information from probabilistic safety analyses to ensure that regulations are appropriate for the actual risk of an activity. Proponents of risk-informed regulation believe that these methods can improve the economics and operation of nuclear facilities by focusing regulatory resources on addressing credible accident scenarios that are most likely to pose threats to worker and public safety. In addition to interest from industry, the U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC)has begun an initiative to develop a new risk-informed regulatory framework for the licensing of advanced nuclear fission power plants, but it is unclear if this framework would be applied to fusion. Despite the benefits of adopting a risk-informed framework for a mature fission industry, use of risk-informed regulations for the licensing of first-generation commercial fusion technology could be detrimental to the goal of economic near-term deployment of fusion. Commercial fusion technology has an insufficient operational and regulatory experience base to support the rapid and effective use of risk-informed regulations. More conservative regulatory analyses could instead be used for first-generation fusion facilities to facilitate more rapid deployment, and enable collection of operating experience to support future use of risk-informed regulations. A hybrid regulatory pathway that incorporates seven decades of lessons learned in commercial fission would enable the implementation of regulatory requirements that evolve with the development of commercial fusion technology, from a first-of-a-kind demonstration plant to a mature low-carbon energy source.

First Generation Graz Cycle Power Plant for Near-Term Deployment

2011 ◽  
Author(s):  
W. Sanz ◽  
Carl-W. Hustad ◽  
H. Jericha
Keyword(s):  
Power Plant ◽  
Economic Analysis ◽  
First Generation ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Operating Conditions ◽  
Design For All ◽  
Demonstration Plant ◽  
Zero Emission ◽  
Near Term ◽  
The U.S

Carbon Capture and Storage (CCS) is a recognized technology pathway to curb the increasing emissions of carbon dioxide (CO2) from the power generation sector. But most available technologies are still on the study or laboratory-scale level, so that considerable R&D efforts are needed to achieve commercialization level. The Graz Cycle originally presented in 1995 by Jericha [1] is an oxyfuel technology and promises highest efficiency using state-of-the-art turbine materials and improved thermodynamic developments in a comparatively complex interaction of rotating machinery, condensers and heat exchanger components. But although detailed conceptual design for all main components has been presented, there is still a large step towards a Graz Cycle pilot demonstration plant. In order to facilitate construction of a demonstration plant we consider the performance of a near-term Graz Cycle process design based on modest cycle data and available turbomachinery components using a simplified flow scheme. The work is supported by on-going development work for a first generation oxyfuel turbine that has already been undertaken by Clean Energy Systems, Inc. [2]. Their further work on a second generation oxyfuel turbine received $30 million funding support from the U.S. Department of Energy in September 2010 [3]. Two near-term Graz Cycle plants are presented based on basic and advanced operating conditions of the proposed commercially available turbine. Besides the turbine the additional equipment for a first-generation cycle is discussed. The predicted optimum net efficiency is 23.2% (HHV). A near-term zero-emission power plant can only be commercially attractive if it will be deployed in a niche market. Therefore an economic analysis commensurate with an early pre-FEED conceptual study is carried out for the U.S. Gulf Coast where revenue from multiple product streams that could include power, steam, CO2 and water, as well as argon and (potentially) nitrogen from the ASU is provided. The economic analysis suggests that a capital investment of $94 million can secure construction of a 13.2 MWe zero emission oxyfuel power plant and yield a 14.5% (unlevered) return on capital invested.

scholarly journals Fusion-From Stars to Power Sockets

2015 ◽  
Vol 2 ◽  
pp. 104-120
Author(s):  
Carla Fleisher-Petersen ◽  
Shane Keen ◽  
Liam Martin ◽  
Blake Regan
Keyword(s):  
Meta Analysis ◽  
Fusion Energy ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Nuclear Fission ◽  
Fusion Technology ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Radiation Losses ◽  
Minimal Environmental Impact ◽  
Near Future ◽  
Z Pinch

Fusion energy is one of the promising energy sources of the future, with a practically limitless abundance of hydrogen in the universe and earth, it has the potential to replace current energy technologies being theoretically superior in efficiency with minimal environmental impact. A systematic review and meta-analysis of its thermodynamic properties, including the examination of the efficiency of underlying technologies and fusion causing techniques was conducted to examine the potential of this technology as a viable energy source. Through these methods we obtained thermodynamic data relating to to the efficiency of fusion engines, such as the Tokamak, Direct Pulse, Z-Pinch and Fusor style fusion engines, and the underlying technologies relating to conduction and radiation losses in a fusion engine in order to assess current and projected thermodynamic efficiencies and hypothesise potential research requirements to make fusion technology viable. From this research it is concluded that the main flaw in fusion technology is the inability to properly address radiation and conduction losses which minimise the power output of any fusion reactor.Furthermore, while it is necessary to develop these technologies for the development of working fusion technology, their applications to other energy industries, such as solar and nuclear fission, would be more beneficial to the clean energy near future than to the long term goal of fusion technology.

scholarly journals Transposition of European Guidelines for Energy Communities into Austrian Law: A Comparison and Discussion of Issues and Positive Aspects

Energies ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 14 (13) ◽  
pp. 3922
Author(s):  
Bernadette Fina ◽  
Hubert Fechner
Keyword(s):  
Renewable Energy ◽  
Electricity Market ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Detailed Comparison ◽  
Regulatory Framework ◽  
Policy Makers ◽  
European Guidelines ◽  
Subsequent Discussion ◽  
Grid Operators ◽  
Austrian Law

The Renewable Energy Directive and the Electricity Market Directive, both parts of the Clean Energy for all Europeans Package (issued in 2019), provide supranational rules for renewable energy communities and citizen energy communities. Since national transpositions need to be completed within two years, Austria has already drafted corresponding legislation. This article aims at providing a detailed comparison of the European guidelines and the transposition into Austrian law. The comparison not only shows how, and to what extent, the European guidelines are transposed into Austrian law, but also helps to identify loopholes and barriers. The subsequent discussion of these issues as well as positive aspects of the Austrian transposition may be advantageous for legislators and policy makers worldwide in their process of designing a coherent regulatory framework. It is concluded that experts from different areas (i.e., project developers, scientists concerned with energy communities, energy suppliers and grid operators) should be closely involved in the law-making process in order to introduce different perspectives so that a consistent and supportive regulatory framework for energy communities is created.

scholarly journals Green Banking Trends: Customer Knowledge and Awareness in India

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (1) ◽  
pp. 54-60
Author(s):  
V Chitra ◽  
R Gokilavani
Keyword(s):  
Private Sector ◽  
Financial Institution ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Clean Energy ◽  
Climatic Conditions ◽  
Low Carbon ◽  
Low Carbon Economy ◽  
Energy Technologies ◽  
Private Sector Investment ◽  
Consumer Markets

Global warming is increasing; therefore, Change is the law of nature. The changes like the environmental and climatic conditions, are one of the most complicated issues faced by the growing society. The survival of the fittest contributes to the idea of adaptation to the changes in society. Today’s business is all about being green, and companies use this as a key strategy to expand its market and impact society. Even the top companies like Amazon to apple are moving in a great way towards green. The economic development lies in the palms of the banks being the financial organizations.Green banking means a financial institution, typically public or quasi-public, that uses innovative financing techniques and market development tools in partnership with the private sector to accelerate deployment of clean energy technologies. Green banks use public funds to leverage private investment in clean energy technologies that, despite being commercially viable, have struggled to establish a widespread presence in consumer markets. Green banks seek to reduce energy costs for ratepayers, stimulate private sector investment and economic activity, and expedite the transition to a low-carbon economy. Adoption of green banking practices will not only be useful for the environment but also benefit in greater operational efficiencies, minimum errors and frauds, and cost reductions in banking activities. The present paper aims to highlightIndian initiatives and adoption by various banks towards green banking in India. Further, an attempt has been made to highlight the major benefits, confronting challenges of Green Banking.

scholarly journals Regional Economic Outlook, October 2019, Middle East and Central Asia

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Keyword(s):  
Middle East ◽  
Oil Prices ◽  
Private Investment ◽  
Volatile Oil ◽  
Sustainable Growth ◽  
Medium Term ◽  
Potential Growth ◽  
Growth Prospects ◽  
Near Term ◽  
Economic Outlook

Growth in the near term remains subdued for oil exporters in the Middle East, North Africa, Afghanistan, and Pakistan (MENAP) region, amid volatile oil prices, precarious global growth, elevated fiscal vulnerabilities, and heightened geopolitical tensions. In addition, declining productivity is dampening medium-term growth prospects. To reduce dependence on oil prices and pave the way for more sustainable growth, fiscal consolidation needs to resume, underpinned by improved medium-term fiscal frameworks. In parallel, structural reforms and further financial sector development would boost foreign direct investment (FDI) and domestic private investment and foster diversification, thus contributing to improved productivity and potential growth.

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