The Global Energy Problem

2011 National Nuclear Science Week
January 26^th
Nuclear Power

The Global Energy Problem

Our global energy problem is how to provide the energy requirements needed to support the lifestyle demands of the developed world markets while expanded in to emerging markets without destroying our environment.  Energy innovation and transformational concepts are expected to emerge mid-century to allow for revolutionary changes to the development, generation and use of energy sources. 

While the world is moving swiftly to new science and technologies and we have learned more about harmful byproducts of traditional energy supply like fossil fuels that are the basis for our energy economy and have been for the past century.  Green house gas (GHG) levels have increased in developed countries and emerging markets are adding to the problem.  Major users of the energy within traditional sectors like transportation, electricity production, residential users, commercial retail and industrial plant users are also demanding more energy for competitive advantage and producing more product while holding costs down through technology and process improvements. 

Today, the energy problem is being taken seriously.  Improvements in energy consumption from advanced materials, digital computers and microcircuits have brought the requirements per device down (portable computing devices, mobile phones, light bulbs, automobiles, etc.), but emerging technologies, expanding new markets and advanced ‘place utility’ (mobility and size portability) has increased demand.  Requirements for added functionality in smaller portable sizes have required improvement in electronic efficiency and battery life technologies and supporting storage devices.

 

We are fortunate in the nuclear power industry to take advantage of improvements in technology and our engineering and maintenance processes to improve equipment reliability.  With U.S. nuclear power plants producing 72% of the low carbon electric generation, we are continually challenged to maintain a high production output and have met that challenge of producing safe, clean energy for our customers.  This has been done while holding down cost that are competitive with other carbon emitting alternatives for power production that are linked to global warming.

Life extension of the American fleet beyond their initial life of 40 years is an opportunity to extend production for clean energy.  The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) has a defined process to review records related to plant maintenance, operations, and environmental impact that will allow a 20 year extended operation opportunity for each of the 104 commercially operated U.S. nuclear power units.  So far, all units that have requested an extension have received them or are in final review phases.  The first 20-year extension will expire in 2029 and will allow us time to build new nuclear generation based upon current technology and incorporating improved safety designs, better materials and improved digital controls that allow for more efficient and safe operations.  The future is exciting in the nuclear power field and replacing carbon-emitting energy alternatives.  Nuclear energy continues to hold promise for on-going reduction in GHG levels and improving the earth for future generations. 

Many people are trying to conserve energy. Do you think those efforts will be enough or will new power plants still need to be built in the future?

John M. Mahoney, PMP
Entergy Nuclear
Manager, Business Development