Role of Nuclear Energy in Meeting the Future

Demand of Power Generation: Challenges and

Actions
SANGIDA AKTER (BANGLADESH)

Introduction:

The single most essential issue we will confront in the future is energy. When we look at a
prioritized list of the top 10 challenges for the future, it includes energy, availability of drinking
water, enough food supply, environmental pollution and global warming, poverty, terrorism
and conflict, disease, education for all, democracy, and free societies, and population. Energy
specialists are concerned about rising food prices, predicting that energy and food crises would
emerge decades before the end of hydrocarbons owing to a lack of electricity, fuel, and food
(Chen, Kuo, & Chen, 2010). We also will need to locate massive new sources for clean water
as the population will grow to 9.7 billion in 2050 (UN,2019), and the reduction of existing
aquifers worsens due to overpopulation and global warming. Fortunately, our globe has
abundant water resources, but most of it contains salt, and it is also located thousands of
kilometres away from where it is needed. We may use energy as a remedy for this problem by
desalinating the water and pumping it far distances. However, there is no viable solution
without inexpensive energy. So, we can see how energy is the key to solving all of the other
problems

Suppose, we cannot solve the energy problem for 9.7 billion people. Then how can we imagine
that we will avoid a future that has ongoing war and terrorism at levels that exceed what we
have already known in this past unprecedentedly violent 20th century, a century in which we
had less than half the population we have now, a century that was blessed with ever-abundant
cheap oil?

So, in this essay, I will try to highlight the future of power generation, the contribution of
nuclear energy in meeting the demand for energy, and a few challenges and actions for a
sustainable future of nuclear energy.
Future of power generation and nuclear energy:

Energy is one of the essential components that influence prosperity of a society. Final energy
consumption is expected to increase by around 16% and 38% from present levels by 2030 and
2050 respectively (IAEA,2019). In 2019, fossil fuels provided over two-thirds of worldwide
power. Renewables and nuclear energy accounted for 26.3% and 10.4% of the total 36.7% from
low-carbon sources, respectively (Hannah and Max,2020). Global oil, gas, and coal stocks are
finite resources. In the next 50–60 years, the oil will reach its limit or decline, but it will still
not run out (Nick et al.,2010). But environmentalists urge limiting the use of fossil fuels due to
their negative impact on the environment, regardless of whether they are replenished or
depleted.

In 2019, around 443 nuclear reactors were active with a total net generating capacity of 392
GWe. Nuclear power generation capacity is expected to rise by roughly 20% and 80%
compared to 2019 by 2030 and 2050 respectively under the most optimistic scenario. In the
worst-case scenario, it’ll drop by about 10% until 2040, then rebound, resulting in just a 7%
reduction by 2050 (IAEA,2019). The most significant promoters of nuclear power come from
the climate change movement, which sees global warming as the most severe threat of the
twenty-first century. Several assessments had underlined the need for urgent and significant
carbon emission reductions. Global emissions must be cut in half by mid-century to keep
carbon dioxide levels in the atmosphere at 500 parts per million (Moeed, 2008).

But nuclear energy has distinct characteristics such as high safety and proliferation concerns,
which are guaranteed to influence its growth trajectory in the future years. Even if initiatives
are taken to address those problems, there are still issues that need more attention like gaining
public trust and developing highly skilled experts in nuclear technology for the future.

Building public trust in nuclear energy:

The causes of radiation phobia are innate and historical. Naturally, we fear what is powerful
and invisible, and the terror of the Cold War has just contributed to that. Also, research shows,
some aspects of technology, particularly those involving radiation, are stigmatized significantly
(Gregory et al., 1995).

So, the first step to gain public trust is a long-term strategy for public communication (Misztal
and B.A.,1996). The goal is to become a confidential public agent in questions of nuclear safety
and radiation protection, as well as an expert organization at the public's disposal. Sharing
complex information in a way that a broad audience can understand is just one element of the
process. Achieving long-term trust can be accomplished by admitting honestly to the regulatory
program's flaws and knowledge gaps. It must also be stated that accidents cannot be completely
avoided.

Another way for nuclear regulators to be regarded as trustworthy in an emergency, or in any

other situation where the public has reason to be concerned, is for them to have earned
credibility in their everyday interactions with the public or in other words becoming well-
known to the public. The public will be unable to distinguish between information coming from
a regulatory body and ad hoc communications from sources with little understanding of the
issue if the regulatory agency's existence, function, and obligations are unknown. Direct
personal interaction with some stakeholders is also beneficial. Journalists in various nations
have praised interactions where they are informed by regulatory specialists and may ask
whatever questions they want about specific issues of interest. Meetings with local residents
who have a real personal interest in nuclear safety and radiation issues also reveal how the
public sees the danger and what their primary worries are. (IAEA, 2013)

The news media can be used to get a huge audience's attention. The typical methods for
addressing the public through the news media include press releases, press conferences, and
articles published by regulatory experts. Regulatory websites are increasingly essential these
days, it should deliver information at a cheap cost. Direct communication has an important
function, and a large network of direct connections is also needed. A collaboration with people
and organizations, for instance, politicians, doctors, and teachers who have public trust is very
valuable. Regulatory authorities should run public nuclear safety information centers.
Arranging different major exhibits and handing out topical information pamphlets to interested
guests is another approach to reach a huge number of people.

It is also important to listen to stakeholder concerns to create proper contact with the public
and other stakeholders and to solve issues of actual concern. Contacts with local residents in
the vicinity of nuclear power plants are a very useful source of feedback in this communication.
But researchers found no significant link between people’s knowledge of So, Public should get
any important information easily and their feelings and attitudes about it. (Levi and Holder,
1988). In such case, the regulatory authority has no choice but to clarify the facts and attempt
to put them into context. Finding what the public wants from the regulating agency and
addressing the issues and needs is also important.

As the Fukushima Daichi catastrophe proved, how hiding information can create confusion and
substantially influences expanding nuclear power plant output. (Ramana and M. V., 2011). It
is critical to share information and provide openness. (Schoeneman et al., 2000). So, the public
should get any important information easily. A regulatory body must be accessible at all times
when needed. The news media and general public, want quick access to specialists who can
inform them on current events related to nuclear power. (OECD,2000)

So, lastly, we must develop an effective safety paradigm that prioritizes true public well-being
and recognizes and evaluates the health, environmental, and safety risks and advantages of
nuclear power alongside those of other power-generating technologies. Science-based
engagement activities, guided by the finest psychological, sociological, and public opinion
studies, are required. All parties involved should make their roles in the nuclear power program
and the involvement of stakeholders in the process transparent. If above all suggestions are
followed it’s possible for a regulatory body to gain public trust and convince them how nuclear
energy is now safer than before.

Barriers in increasing interest among the youth about nuclear industry, and steps to
develop skilled human resource:

The development of trained human resources is a critical initial step in assuring a constant
supply of competent personnel for safe usage and long-term viability of nuclear technology.
According to the research, a highly skilled young generation is needed in the nuclear industry
because a) certain positions are highly technical and nuclear-specific and thus are difficult to
fill. b) The nuclear workforce is older than any other energy industry, with over a third of
professionals aged 55 and more, compared to only 20% in oil and gas. (World Nuclear
News,2019)

Promoting public knowledge and accepting nuclear power through programs and activities that
will encourage young people to pursue jobs in the sector is one way to reduce this gap. New
interdisciplinary curricula are needed to be developed to augment conventional engineering
curriculum, and training programs are being developed to supplement university education.
Also, the culture of corporate knowledge management and recruitment programs at the
corporate level and a highly welcoming atmosphere are required to attract the young generation
and new employees.

Appropriate preparations are required to build the essential knowledge to develop human
resources efficiently and effectively. Workforce planning is the first step in that process. It
includes analysing the present workforce and estimating the extent to which it can be used
successfully for nuclear power plant commissioning and operation; offering a systematic
structure for evaluating various human resource development plans and progress., identifying
skill gaps between current and future personnel availability, designing long-term merit-based
recruiting strategies, giving clear career paths, incentives, and attractive compensation
packages to retain employees. (Kahar et al.2017, IAEA.2007, IAEA.2009, IAEA.2011)

It is also essential to have a national capacity-building strategy that is integrated and

comprehensive on a national level. The internationalization of educational programs,
recruiting, and professional employment is needed to reflect the globalization of the nuclear
business worldwide. There should be a number of international cooperation programs offering
networks in nuclear education, safety, and security. Improvement in bridging the gap between
nuclear and non-nuclear professions is also required. Professionals working in governmental
organizations, trade unions, commerce, and governments, for example, should have benefited
from having a basic understanding of nuclear technology, safety, and security. (IAEA,2018)
Training opportunities, proactive outreach, and communication, for example, should be
supported by governmental organizations, trade unions, commerce, and local governments.

To develop human resource for newcomer countries like Bangladesh with no prior experience
in nuclear power, strategies that may be implemented includes, conducting feasibility studies
and benchmarking exercises, establishing a long-term human resource development and
workforce management strategy, and expanding business operational, mid, and top-level
engineering exposure to nuclear power. (Alam et al.,2019)

So, steps should be taken by national, international, and personal levels to ensure that we have
the necessary capabilities to develop, operate, and decommission present and future nuclear
stations.

Conclusion:

The first step in solving the energy crisis and global warming is drastically reducing fossil fuels
and making a comprehensive and coordinated plan for renewable energy research and
development. Because science and technology continue to progress, new energy sources may
be discovered in the following decades. Nuclear fusion, if effectively harnessed, has the
potential to solve the basis of the energy problem. Unfortunately, we cannot rely on an
uncertain future. So as for now, nuclear energy, renewable energy combining with long-
distance electrical power transmission with cost-effective local electrical storage can provide
us with access to energy generated by any new technologies and any existing power plants,
independent of technology or specific location. I believe we can solve the future energy crisis
by advancing nanotechnology and material science, putting more focus on nuclear safety,
public trust-building, and nurturing the skills of the new generation of scientists and engineers
to ensure the advancement and growth of nuclear energy and other renewable energy sources.

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