'Nuclear Matters': a presentation on the history and benefits of nuclear power

At the request of EESG a presentation on “Nuclear Matters” was given by John Earp at the meeting on 16 June 2014.

Briefly covering the history of nuclear power in the UK from Calder Hall in 1956 through to the present day the UK’s selection of gas cooled reactors was compared to the rest of the world’s selection of water reactors.  Life extension opportunities for gas cooled reactors compared to water reactors was covered explaining why gas cooled reactors are more limited in this respect leading to earlier final closure.  This was given as one reason why the UK is in the vanguard of needing to replace its nuclear fleet ahead of many other countries. 

The benefits of nuclear in reducing carbon emissions, with emissions lower than any other form of comparable power generation, along with the impact of managing radioactive waste arisings were discussed and supported with factual information related to both socio-economic as well as technical standpoints. 

Finally since the UK needed nuclear plant replacements in advance of many countries and it needed to address its climate change obligations it was concluded that there was benefit to having nuclear as an integrated part of an integrated energy portfolio. Even though we no longer had the lead in developing new reactors the experience gained by UK Engineering organisations engaged in building new plants in the UK had the potential to leverage them into international markets when other countries move to construct new nuclear power stations.