Nuclear energy in the Post-Fukushima Era: Research on the developments of the Chinese and worldwide nuclear power industries

doi:10.1016/j.rser.2015.12.165

Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews

Volume 58, May 2016, Pages 147-156

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2015.12.165 Get rights and content

Abstract

The nuclear accident that occurred in Fukushima, Japan has broadly affected the rapid development trend of the worldwide nuclear industry, causing many countries, including China, to adjust their nuclear policies. However, as the impact of the accident is fading away, nuclear policies are differentiating worldwide. Hence, analysing nuclear policies in different countries and their trends after the Fukushima accident has a practical significance of promoting the effective and safe development of the nuclear power industry. This paper focuses on the nuclear accident in Fukushima, Japan, and its wide impact. First, the changes of the developmental policies and the trends of the nuclear powers, including China, are summarised just after the accident in Fukushima occurred. Next, the nuclear power development of the nuclear powers and China in the last two years is analysed with real data. Finally, this paper systematically predicts the developmental direction of the global nuclear industry according to the actual nuclear development status in each country.

Introduction

Since the late 19th century, efforts have been made by countries to reach an international consensus against energy and environmental problems caused by excessive human activities. Large-scale application of nuclear energy and the explosive growth of renewable energy sources make it possible for global economics and environmental protection to transition from the current dependence on fossil fuels [23]. As one of the most potential and practical sources of new energy, nuclear energy has an irreplaceable advantage not only in terms of low costs and carbon dioxide emissions but also regarding operating stability compared to traditional fossil energy and renewable energy [4], [18]. However, the safety problem of nuclear energy has always been a critical issue, focused on by all countries [27,19].

On March 11, 2011, an earthquake of 9.0 on the Richter scale occurred in east Japan, resulting in a tsunami that caused the explosion of units in the Fukushima nuclear power plant [22]. Thereafter, the electricity price rose markedly because of power shortages caused by the accident, which seriously impacted the nation׳s economy and people׳s lives [9] and shocked nuclear industries worldwide [5], [24]. After the Fukushima nuclear accident, the rapid development trend of the global nuclear industries was affected. Additionally, many nuclear powers, including China, adjusted their nuclear power policies [7]. Hence, analysing nuclear power policies and their trends after the Fukushima accident has a practical significance in promoting the effective and safe development of the nuclear power industry.

The paper focuses on the extensive and far-reaching influence of the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan. First, the paper describes the nuclear development changes and trends in the nuclear powers just after the Fukushima nuclear accident (in the year of 2011). Next, the nuclear power development of the nuclear powers and China during the last two years is analysed with real data (in the year of 2012 and 2013). Finally, the developmental direction of the global nuclear industry is predicted herein based on each country׳s actual nuclear development status (in 2014 and beyond).

Section snippets

Status of the world׳s overall nuclear policy changes

After the Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan, all countries that had nuclear plants throughout the world took immediate action or declared an adjustment of their nuclear development policy based on the domestic development status of nuclear power and the current nuclear policy. In the process, different countries implemented different coping strategies [6]. Some countries, such as the U.S.A. and France, basically support all of their existing power stations and the nuclear industry as a whole.

Status of nuclear power development in the last two years

The Fukushima nuclear accident in Japan had a profoundly negative impact on global nuclear development and slowed the development of global nuclear power. In the last two years, after the suspension of the trend of implementing nuclear power plants, nuclear power throughout the world gradually is recovering. Although the number of new nuclear power plants to be constructed is less than the number before the accident, the global nuclear power installed capacity still exhibits a steady upward

The developmental trend of nuclear power throughout the world

From the above analysis, after undergoing a suspension of the development of nuclear plants, the world׳s nuclear power was found to be gradually restored to steady development. Although the number of new nuclear plants significantly decreased compared to the number before the accident, the world׳s nuclear installed capacity still exhibits a trend of steady development.

According to the analysis, there are two driving forces to develop nuclear power: the first is the need for nuclear power to

Conclusion

After the Fukushima accident in Japan, global nuclear power development was strongly affected, with most countries, including China, adjusting their nuclear policies. The paper want to show the process of the countries adjusting their attitudes and policies for nuclear power. Firstly, this paper analysed the reactions of the countries and the nuclear policies implemented after the accident. Second, the paper summarised the situation of global nuclear development in 2012 and 2013. With time

Acknowledgements

The work described in this paper was supported by the National Science Foundation of China (NSFC)(71271082), the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities (2014XS60), the science and technology project of State Grid Corporation of China (title:Research and application of key technologies in smart grid park energy management and optimization for smart city) and the Energy Foundation of the U.S. (G-1006-12630).

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Nuclear energy in the Post-Fukushima Era: Research on the developments of the Chinese and worldwide nuclear power industries

Abstract

Introduction

Section snippets

Status of the world׳s overall nuclear policy changes

Status of nuclear power development in the last two years

The developmental trend of nuclear power throughout the world

Conclusion

Acknowledgements

Nucl Instrum Methods Phys Res Sect A: Accel Spectrom Detect Assoc Equip

Renew Sustain Energy Rev

Sci Total Environ

Procedia Environ Sci

Energy Econ

Energy Policy

Energy Policy

Energy Policy

Energy

Energy Policy

Renew Sustain Energy Rev

Energy Policy

Energy

Energy Policy