Title: Scenarios with an intensive contribution of nuclear energy to the world energy supply

Authors: H. Nifenecker, D. Heuer, J.M. Loiseaux, O. Meplan, A. Nuttin, S. David, J.M. Martin

Addresses: Institut des Sciences Nucleaires (IN2P3-CNRS, Universite Joseph Fourier), 53 ave Des Martyrs, F-38026 Grenoble, France. Institut des Sciences Nucleaires (IN2P3-CNRS, Universite Joseph Fourier), 53 ave Des Martyrs, F-38026 Grenoble, France. Institut des Sciences Nucleaires (IN2P3-CNRS, Universite Joseph Fourier), 53 ave Des Martyrs, F-38026 Grenoble, France. Institut des Sciences Nucleaires (IN2P3-CNRS, Universite Joseph Fourier), 53 ave Des Martyrs, F-38026 Grenoble, France. Institut des Sciences Nucleaires (IN2P3-CNRS, Universite Joseph Fourier), 53 ave Des Martyrs, F-38026 Grenoble, France. Institut de Physique Nucleaire d'Orsay, (IN2P3-CNRS, Universite Paris XI), BP 1, F-91406 Orsay Cedex, France. Institut d’Economie et de Politique de l’Energie (CNRS, Université Joseph Fourier), BP47, F38040 Grenoble Cedex 09, France

Abstract: Temperature stabilisation requires that CO₂ emissions be limited to less than 3 Gt Carbon equivalent, from the present level of more than 6 Gt. Despite an increase in primary energy demand by 250% in 2050, we find that a nuclear intensive scenario assuming the development of a 3000 GWe pool of PWR reactors by 2030 and an additional 6000 GWe pool of U-Pu or Th-U reactors by 2050 would lead to temperature stabilisation at a level two degrees above the pre-industrial level.

Keywords: energy scenarios; nuclear power; plutonium breeders; U3 breeders; molten salt reactors.

DOI: 10.1504/IJGEI.2003.002382

International Journal of Global Energy Issues, 2003 Vol.19 No.1, pp.63-77

Published online: 17 Jul 2003 *

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