Nuclear options for our energy future

A brief review is presented of the nuclear options for our energy future. It is demonstrated that a strong correlation exists between the standard of living enjoyed by the citizens of a country and the consumption of inexpensive energy. Until now, the World´s energy has been dominated by the burning of hydrocarbons in the form of coal, oil, and natural gas. However, the fear that rising levels of the greenhouse gas, CO₂, will induce irreversible climate change has stimulated the search for alternative energy sources, one of which is nuclear. The current nuclear power industry, which supplies about 20% of the US electricity and about 16% of electrical energy World-wide, is based entirely upon thermal neutron fissioning of ²³⁵U₉₂ and ²³⁹Pu₉₄, which is formed in situ, with the reactors in the US being divided between Boiling (Light) Water Reactors (BWRs, 40%) and Pressurized (Light) Water Reactors (PWRs, 60%). These Generation II and III reactors are efficient and reliable, and they produce electrical energy economically. Generation IV high temperature reactors, which are now being developed World-wide offer higher thermodynamic efficiencies, less waste, fuel-flexibility, and passive safety. However, the materials challenges are immense. Over the long term (100+ years) fusion power is expected to become practical, which will provide humankind with an unlimited amount of energy and is expected to fuel the development of the undeveloped world and to raise the standards of living of its citizens, while producing minimal waste in the form of helium. It will also spell the end to humankind´s reliance on fossil fuels and hence will end the threat of global warming.