As the most reliable source of carbon-free power generation, it can provide uninterrupted all-weather energy supply. Nuclear energy is an important part of the power generation field and a key pillar of the transition to a carbon-free future.

Countries of all sizes use carbon-free nuclear power generation as part of their energy structure to ensure access to reliable and clean energy with the highest reliability, while supporting their own energy security. According to the International Energy Agency (IEA), nuclear energy has accounted for 10% of the world’s total power generation and 25% of all carbon-free power generation today. The United States, France, China, Russia and South Korea have the most nuclear power generation.

In the past 50 years, nuclear power generation has reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than 6 billion tons globally-equivalent to the total amount of global energy-related emissions in the past two years. In the Middle East and North Africa, the first phase of the Barakah Nuclear Power Plant in the UAE has generated more than 2,100GWh of clean electricity and reduced carbon dioxide emissions by more than 950,000 kilotons. Saudi Arabia plans to build two large nuclear power plants (NPP). The goal is to achieve a nuclear capacity of 17 GWe by 2040 and meet 15% of the Kingdom's needs.

Nuclear energy is the future

In Egypt, GE’s world’s largest Arabel nuclear steam turbine will be installed at the El Dabaa nuclear power plant in Egypt, providing 4,800 megawatts of carbon-free power generation to millions of households. Iraq also announced plans to build nuclear reactors capable of producing approximately 11 gigawatts. Further afield, Pakistan has 2332 megawatts of operating nuclear power capacity, and another 1,100 megawatts are under construction, while Turkey is currently building the Akyu Nuclear Power Plant, which will use General Electric’s Arabel steam turbines and generate up to 4,800 megawatts. Megawatts. GE has just delivered the first equipment for Akkuyu in January 2021.

"As new technologies come online, as part of the clean energy portfolio, maintaining the existing carbon-free nuclear power generation is critical," General Electric said in a recent white paper on the role of nuclear energy in achieving a carbon-free future. “There are approximately 450 nuclear reactors in the world, and one of the most effective and economical solutions will be to extend operating licenses to support the transition to a zero-carbon economy. The market’s recognition of nuclear power as a source of emission-free power generation is to extend these licenses. And the key to keeping nuclear power plants running."

The white paper entitled "Nuclear Energy: A Key Pillar of a Carbon-Free Future" outlines the current energy landscape and decarbonization efforts, as well as recommendations on how to achieve these goals by using nuclear energy as a reliable emission-free generation options. The white paper added that simplifying regulatory requirements and increasing investment to incorporate new technologies, including digital solutions, will further support efforts to achieve the goal of the carbon-free energy sector.

It is expected that industry leaders will continue to develop new products to help customers repair their equipment and improve efficiency, reduce operating costs and extend the life of their plants. GE estimates that increasing thermal power ratings and retrofitting typical steam turbines and generators can achieve additional total power output of up to 20% or more. Today, GE's steam turbine technology operates in 50% of nuclear power plants worldwide, producing 200 gigawatts (GW) for the global grid.

"Need to build a new nuclear power plant with first-class technology, focusing on innovating next-generation nuclear technology and accelerating new large-scale projects. The continuous innovation of the entire industry is expected to provide world-class technology to reduce construction costs and schedules, and ensure operational reliability and Security," the white paper said. Small modular reactors (SMR) have the potential to reduce investment costs per megawatt (MW). It added that the deployment of SMR can be accelerated with government support.

Nuclear industry leaders and industry partners such as GE are developing patented breakthrough reactor technology innovations to reduce cost and complexity. GE Hitachi Nuclear Energy (GEH) is an alliance created by GE and Hitachi to serve the global commercial nuclear power industry. The BWRX-300 SMR has been developed. The GEH project can deploy this product as early as 2028.

The Natrium™ Sodium Fast Reactor, jointly developed by TerraPower and GEH, includes thermal energy storage and is very suitable for supporting power grids with high levels of renewable energy. In terms of large-scale projects, although some countries have plans to phase out nuclear power plants, GE predicts that the annual demand for new nuclear power plants in the next 10 years will be about 10 GW, which is consistent with the IEA's net zero emissions (NZE) forecast by 2050.

After 2030, nuclear deployment is only expected to accelerate in a world where carbon emissions are increasingly limited. The IEA's NSE predicts that from 2030 to 2040, net nuclear capacity will increase by an average of more than 20 gigawatts per year. With a 53GW global fleet, 99.96% reliability and the ability to generate 2% more power output than previous turbine configurations, GE's industry-leading Arabelle™ steam turbine is compatible with all large reactors. Discussions about the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere and its impact on the increase in global average temperature continue to intensify.

Although other greenhouse gases such as methane, nitrous oxide, and fluorinated gases cause global temperatures to rise, carbon dioxide is the largest single contributor, mainly driven by transportation and electricity production. Meeting the challenge of achieving a carbon-free energy future will require all available clean energy, including nuclear energy, and urgent support and action from governments, companies, non-governmental organizations and other stakeholders. "As the world prepares for the United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP26) in Glasgow in October, attention to decarbonization becomes even more important," said Frederic Wiscart, global managing director of GE Steam Power's nuclear program.

When governments plan to achieve carbon emission reduction targets and determine the future energy structure, they need to consider the risks and interdependence of their own energy systems. The future of the global energy system should be more interconnected and integrated to share benefits and efficiency among economies. According to GE’s white paper, policy makers and industry leaders must consider the entire energy system across multiple operators, infrastructure, and consumer sectors when making decisions.

Keywords: new energy, overseas engineering, international engineering construction, foreign engineering construction news

The net zero emission energy system also needs to generate electricity through a variety of cleaner technologies, including nuclear energy, renewable energy, energy storage, combined cycle gas turbines with carbon capture, and hydrogen.Editor/XuNing