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Non-electricity products of nuclear energy

Technically nuclear fission reactors in operation or being built can supply non-electricity products. However, while non-electrical applications have been considered since the very beginning of nuclear energy development, they have not been deployed to significant industrial scale in any country so far.

The present report endeavours to investigate: technical requirements for nuclear energy systems to become cost effective for supplying non-electricity products; potential markets for non-electricity products that nuclear energy systems could supply eventually; and policy issues to be addressed for facilitating the development of non-electrical applications of nuclear energy in countries wishing to rely on this option.

The report was reviewed by the NDC and benefited from comments and suggestions from its members. However, its does not reflect automatically the views of all NEA member countries. It is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of OECD.

The entire report (pdf format, 340 kb) can be downloaded in one file.

 

Table of contents

Introduction

Current status and future prospects for nuclear non-electricity products

  • Current Status
  • District Heat
  • Desalinated Water
  • Process Heat
  • Hydrogen
  • Propulsion
  • Long-term Prospects

Supply potential for nuclear non-electricity energy products

  • Current Capabilities for Near-term Deployment
  • Water-cooled Reactors
  • Gas-cooled Reactors
  • Long-term Expectations

Strategic issues for development and deployment

  • Market-oriented Issues
  • Market Characteristics
  • Market Size
  • Competitiveness of Nuclear Energy
  • Initiation of Actions
  • Technology-oriented Issues
  • Resource-oriented Issues
  • Social and Legal Issues

Findings and recommendations

References

Further reading

Tables

  • Table 1. Hydrogen Production Options
  • Table 2. Generation IV Reactor Concepts

Figures

  • Figure 1. Required Temperature for Industrial Processes
  • Figure 2. Long-term Prospects of Nuclear Energy Market
  • Figure 3. Simplified Market Chain for Non-electricity Energy Products

The entire report (pdf format, 340 kb) can be downloaded in one file.

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