The International Energy Agency (IEA) and the Nuclear Energy Agency (NEA) recently published the 2015 edition of the Technology Roadmap: Nuclear Energy.
Last published in 2010, the report recommends a number of key actions including: reviewing the energy market and vendor commitments; regulatory and industry standardization; information exchange and sharing among nuclear power plant regulators and operators to improve overall safety and performance; preparedness for developing necessary infrastructures and building competent staff; action to improve public acceptance; and managing nuclear waste, including long-term planning, commitment and engagement at a local level.
The Nuclear Energy Agency said each country must decide what energy mix is optimal for its national circumstances, but the fundamental advantages provided by nuclear energy in terms of reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, competitiveness of electricity production and security of supply should be taken into account.
Since nuclear energy can furnish low-carbon electricity, the roadmap aims to assist governments in introducing, maintaining or developing nuclear energy technologies in a safe, publicly accepted and affordable manner.
Several key events have affected the nuclear energy landscape development since the report was last published, including the Fukushima Daiichi accident; the shift toward Generation III reactors for nuclear new build; and economic and financial crises that resulted in lowered energy demand and more challenging financing of certain infrastructure projects.
