Unlike existing books of nuclear reactor physics, nuclear engineering and nuclear chemical engineering this book covers a complete description and evaluation of nuclear fission power generation. It covers the whole nuclear fuel cycle, from the extraction of natural uranium from ore mines, uranium conversion and enrichment up to the fabrication of fuel elements for the cores of various types of fission reactors. This is followed by the description of the different fuel cycle options and the final storage in nuclear waste repositories. In addition the release of radioactivity under normal and possible accidental conditions is given for all parts of the nuclear fuel cycle and especially for the different fission reactor types.

Nuclear Energy and the Evolution of Fission to Fusion Power: The Role of Plasma and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) in Bridging Technologies by Ronald Legarski, Yash Patel, and Zoltan Csernus offers an authoritative exploration of the development and future of nuclear energy. The book traces the journey from the discovery of nuclear fission to the emerging promise of fusion power, highlighting the role of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) and plasma technologies in advancing clean energy. Ronald Legarski, an expert in simplifying complex technical ideas, delves into how nuclear advancements, including SMRs and grid technologies, can revolutionize energy production. Yash Patel, an accomplished entrepreneur and trained Nuclear Engineer, contributes his extensive experience in project management and high-energy physics, providing insights into innovation and regulatory compliance in nuclear technology. Zoltan Csernus, with over 40 years of experience as a master electrician, specializes in power quality improvements and groundbreaking harmonics reduction technology, playing a key role in SMR and energy storage developments. This comprehensive guide is indispensable for energy professionals, engineers, and those looking to understand the future of nuclear power. It covers the scientific breakthroughs, reactor technologies, environmental considerations, and future prospects of nuclear energy, offering a thorough look at how fission and fusion technologies will help shape a sustainable energy future.

This book provides an overview on nuclear physics and energy production from nuclear fission. It serves as a readable and reliable source of information for anyone who wants to have a well-balanced opinion about exploitation of nuclear fission in power plants. The text is divided into two parts; the first covers the basics of nuclear forces and properties of nuclei, nuclear collisions, nuclear stability, radioactivity, and provides a detailed discussion of nuclear fission and relevant topics in its application to energy production. The second part covers the basic technical aspects of nuclear fission reactors, nuclear fuel cycle and resources, safety, safeguards, and radioactive waste management. The book also contains a discussion of the biological effects of nuclear radiation and of radiation protection, and a summary of the ten most relevant nuclear accidents. The book is suitable for undergraduates in physics, nuclear engineering and other science subjects. However, the mathematics is kept at a level that can be easily followed by wider circles of readers. The addition of solved problems, strategically placed throughout the text, and the collections of problems at the end of the chapters allow readers to appreciate the quantitative aspects of various phenomena and processes. Many illustrations and graphs effectively supplement the text and help visualising specific points.

Explores how these conflicting scenarios could be reconciled; how can we shape a more sustainable energy system from the existing one; and possible technological progress and innovations to enable a brighter future. Addresses the reality that there exists no consensus on the extent to which innovations can really contribute to reconciling ever-growing energy consumption, availability of resources and the environment, and the structural demands on any energy system. Offers and explains a four-point strategy: Energy should according to its importance regain a top priority in the political arena; higly targeted subsidies should be given for a limited amount of time to speed up the market introduction of energy-efficient and regenerative techniques in analogy to the ‚Dutch model‘; Negotiated agreements and unilateral self-commitments can subsequently ensure further market diffusion of sustainable energy innovations.; the basic research in energy should not be diminished but intensified instead

This book presents an overview of current renewable energy sources, challenges and future trends. Drawing from their longtime expertise and deep knowledge of the field, the authors present a critic and well-structured perspective on sustainable power sources and technologies, including solar, wind, hydrogen and nuclear, both in large and small scale. Using accessible language they provide rigorous technological reviews and analyze the main issues of practical usage. The book addresses current questions in this area, such as: "Is there enough biomass to make a difference in energy needs? Should biomass be used in Energy Generation?"; "How mature is battery technology? Will it finally become cost effective, and will it make a significant difference this next decade?"; "How big a role will small and modular nuclear power generation play in the coming decades?"; "What will be the influence of national tax policies?". No prior technical knowledge is assumed of the reader. It is, therefore, ideal for professionals and students in all areas of energy and power systems, as well as those involved in energy planning, management and policy. - Presents a realistic and clear overview of the key sustainable energy technologies that will play important roles in the world's energy mix and their impact on the current power infrastructure. - Discusses key societal and economic topics related to the implementation of sustainable energy sources in a straightforward way. - Covers a broad variety of sustainable and renewable energy sources, including hydrogen and bioenergy. It also explores key issues on small modular nuclear facilities, advances in battery technologies, grid integration, off-grid communities and the most recent topics in energy economics and policy.

The quest for sustainability has generated lifestyle changes for individuals across the globe, transformations within the arts, sciences, business, design, engineering, and agriculture, innovative policies and laws, and historic international agreements. Yet the means to achieving sustainability remain unsettled and disputed, even as its crucial importance in the face of the climate crisis grows. The third edition of this popular and lively text explores the concept and practice of sustainability across a broad range of issues and topics. Fully revised and updated, the book underlines the importance of creativity in the service of conservation within ecological, economic, technological, political, legal, and cultural arenas. Chapters conclude with new Discuss, Explore, and Take Action sections that pose probing questions for review and discussion. A new final chapter presents four practical principles that readers may employ to guide the investigation of sustainability problems and their crafting of viable solutions. Sustainability presents a hopeful account of the opportunities before us while squarely confronting the daunting challenges that lie ahead. It provides a crucial resource for students grappling with many of the most urgent issues of our time.

This book provides an up-to-date review of the status and prospects of different options in energy conversion and storage technologies, as seen by a panel of world leading experts. It offers a platform for readers engaged in planning and undertaking new energy solutions, or retrofitting and redesigning the existing installations, to confront and to compare the pros and cons of various novel technology options. This book presents state-of-the-art papers on a timely topic.

Hybrid Renewable Energy Systems and Microgrids covers the modeling and analysis for each type of integrated and operational hybrid energy system. Looking at the fundamentals for conventional energy systems, decentralized generation systems, RES technologies and hybrid integration of RES power plants, the most important contribution this book makes is combining emerging energy systems that improve micro and smart grid systems and their components. Sections cover traditional system characteristics, features, challenges and benefits of hybrid energy systems over the conventional power grid, the deployment of emerging power electronic technologies, and up-to-date electronic devices and systems, including AC and DC waveforms. Conventional, emerging and hierarchical control methods and technologies applied in microgrid operations are covered to give researchers and practitioners the information needed to ensure reliability, resilience and flexibility of implemented hybrid energy systems. - Presents detailed contents on emerging power networks provided by decentralized and distributed generation approaches - Covers driving factors, photovoltaic based power plant modeling and planning studies - Introduces hierarchical control methods and technologies applied in microgrid operations to ensure reliability, resilience and flexibility of hybrid energy systems

This title is dedicated to energy storage, low emission technologies and energy management, with discussions on the future of nuclear energy, combined heat and power, using hydrogen as an energy vector and fuel cells, as well as chapters on energy saving and control of the demand for power.

We are fortunate to live in incredibly exciting and incredibly challenging time. Energy demands due to economic growth and increasing population must be satisfied in a sustainable manner assuring inherent safety, efficiency and no or minimized environmental impact. These considerations are among the reasons that lead to serious interest in deploying nuclear power as a sustainable energy source. At the same time, catastrophic earthquake and tsunami events in Japan resulted in the nuclear accident that forced us to rethink our approach to nuclear safety, design requirements and facilitated growing interests in advanced nuclear energy systems. This book is one in a series of books on nuclear power published by InTech. It consists of six major sections housing twenty chapters on topics from the key subject areas pertinent to successful development, deployment and operation of nuclear power systems worldwide. The book targets everyone as its potential readership groups - students, researchers and practitioners - who are interested to learn about nuclear power.