Nuclear industry development strategies

In a first article devoted to nuclear power generation , we briefly described the different types of power plant, characterized above all by the heat transfer fluid that extracts the energy produced in the nuclear reactor and delivers it to the electricity generation system; we explained how and why a few "branches" exploiting the simplest and most economical technologies have survived; we took stock of experience feedback, 30 years after the start of commercial nuclear power, and shed light on the lifespan of power plants currently in service.

The development of nuclear energy in the decades to come will depend on the objectives pursued, the technologies available and the strategies implemented worldwide. The latter will be highly dependent on non-technical considerations, first and foremost public acceptance, and therefore on how people perceive the advantages and disadvantages. This article does not deal with the sociological aspects of energy development, confining itself to the technical aspects. Instead, we will look at :

• objectives that can be set according to development strategies ;

• constraints common to all sectors;

• the various channels available, with varying degrees of development;

• combinations of nuclear power plants, known as "nuclear systems", likely to achieve the above objectives.