Nuclear James F. Stubbins, Professor and Head Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois National Energy SuperGrid Workshop Palo Alto, CA 7 November 2002 Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Overview Nuclear Power & Status Nuclear – Critical Issues Advanced Systems déjà vu all over again Perspective and Challenges Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Efficient Energy Conversion E = m c2 Energy, E, is produced from the change in mass, m, of the reaction products Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Chicago Pile 1 First Critical, December 2, 1942 Enrico Fermi 1901 - 1954

Nuclear Energy has been with us from the beginning And God said “Let there be light, and there was light.” Genesis 1:3 Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Nuclear Power: Fission Power Status 20% US Electricity (Illinois is 50% Nuclear Electricity) First Reactor: 60 years old Commercial Power: <50 years old Wide Variety of Commercial Systems L/HWR’s: High Pressure, Low Temperature GCR’s: High Pressure, Intermediate to High Temp LMR’s: Low Pressure, Intermediate Temp Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Boiling Water Reactor

Pressurized Water Reactor

Major Developments: What’s New Fission Power – 103 Units Improved Performance Life Extension Streamlined Licensing Growing World-Wide Advanced Reactor Concepts 30 “New” Reactors Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Major Issues Siting Security Environment Economics Waste Advanced Concepts: Dedicated vs. Versatile Public Acceptance Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Major Issues: Siting & Security Depends on Public Depends on Operating Temperature and Waste Heat Decoupled from End User Superconducting Transmission Hydrogen Transport Containment and Perimeter Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Major Issues: Environment Non-emitting Waste Heat Nuclear Waste Energy Security Self-Sustainable Resources and Energy Supply Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Major Issues: Waste Yucca Mountain Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiatives Progress, but Limited Capacity Advanced Fuel Cycle Initiatives Transmutation Technologies Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Major Issues: New Concepts Generation IV Concepts Advanced Light Water Reactor Gas Cooled Reactor Liquid Metal Reactor Alternates – Molten Salt, etc. Dedicated vs. Flexible Reactor Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Energy Conversion Nuclear  Thermal  Electrical  Chemical Existing system, but inefficient Nuclear  Thermal  Chemical Several possibilities, but high temperatures and pressures Nuclear  Chemical Radiolysis, but limited production capabilities Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

déjà vu all over again GE - ESPD Fuel Cells Solar Tower Superconducting Transmission – Atlantic Corridor, Nb3Sn Coal Gasification and Liquifaction Gas-Cooled Reactors (†Sunnyvale ~1983) Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Gas-Cooled Reactors, late 70’s Germany (UK) Coal Gasification and Liquifaction Japan Steel Making – Reduction of Iron Ore US Electricity: Direct Cycle Gas Turbines Nuclear Process Heat Fort St. Vrain – 650C Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Perspective and Challenges Technology Advanced Reactors Fuel Cycles and Waste Competing/Complementary Sources Materials Public Economics Reliability Safety & Security Department of Nuclear, Plasma and Radiological Engineering University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign