Sustainability Aspects on Nuclear Power

In this review reveals that there is no clear consensus among researchers regarding nuclear power’s role in a sustainable energy system. There is polarization in the academic world, just as there is in the media, among the public and among politicians. This polarization may be partly explained by the complexity of the issue of sustainable energy systems and partly due to the fact that the academic world reflects society in general.

Despite a certain polarization, we find that most scientific articles reviewed reflect a relatively balanced position on the matter of nuclear power and sustainability. Such views acknowledge the positive aspects and benefits of nuclear power but also consider the often well-known issues and challenges.

Additionally, several scenarios are highlighted to show how the energy system, and the role of nuclear power, might develop by year 2050. A significant number of scenarios indicate that reaching a ‘well below two degrees’ goal will be difficult without the contribution from nuclear power. Common to all scenarios that we have looked in to is, however, that nuclear power will not dominate the future global energy mix. The greatest growth is instead expected to take place in renewable energy.