Carbon Management, Energy Security and The Future of Nuclear Energy

Steven Aumeier

Director of Energy Systems and Technology, Idaho National Lab

In less than 60 years we have witnessed the transition of nuclear electricity production from an experiment on the high desert of Idaho to more than 430 nuclear power reactors deployed in 31 countries, supplying nearly 15% of global electricity.  Driven by population growth, increased energy demand in developing countries, concerns about climate change, and the decreasing availability of fossil fuels, the next 60 years may well see not just an expansion of nuclear energy for electricity production (1/3 of all energy usage) but also an integration of nuclear energy with renewable and fossil energy resources.  This approach will supply lower-carbon transportation fuels and heat to drive industrial processes (the remaining 2/3 of energy consumed).  These “hybrid” nuclear energy systems could offer an attractive route to better manage the lifecycle of carbon resources, integrate more renewable energy into consumer products, and open significant opportunities for global energy security. But whether nuclear energy will live up to its full potential as a key enabler for global energy security is yet to be seen, and will in large part depend on whether the nuclear energy enterprise can address lingering concerns about cost, safety, waste management and nonproliferation while also evolving to deploy nuclear energy beyond electricity production.

Kane Hall 130
University of Washington
Seattle, 98195

Thursday, May 13, 2010 from 6:30 PM to 7:30 PM (PT)

University of Washington Energy Future

For more info: courses.washington.edu/efuture

Contact: efuture@uw.edu

Kane Hall on campus map: http://www.washington.edu/maps/?l=KNE