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- Daniel B. Poneman
Across the energy value chain, companies and governments are addressing the challenge of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear power generation emits no greenhouse gases and can therefore be an important component in the drive toward reducing emissions and combatting climate change. However, nuclear power generation has encountered stubborn obstacles including delays and cost overruns, disposal of high-level waste, and fear of operating accidents. A combination of new technologies, smaller scale plants, and significant nuclear plant development in certain countries may be tipping the scales toward a nuclear renaissance. What are the promises and risks of nuclear power’s role in achieving net zero
Book signing with Dan Poneman for his book Double Jeopardy: Combating Nuclear Terror and Climate Change.
Momentum is building for nuclear power, as urgency to curb climate change intensifies and many countries commit to decarbonize faster and deeper. Nuclear power scaled up quickly in its early decades. Nuclear power’s share in global power generation grew from 2% in 1970 to 17% in 1990. But nuclear power’s share has since declined to about 10% today. What will it take for nuclear power to step up in a low-carbon world? What are effective policies to preserve the existing fleet and build new plants? Can advanced technologies overcome stubborn obstacles? Which countries and technologies are leading the nuclear revival?