The technological and economic future of nuclear power / Reinhard Haas, Lutz Mez, Amela Ajanovic, editors

1 Introduction: Why Discuss Nuclear Power Today? -- 2 From Military to Early Civilian Applications. An Appraisal of the Initial Success of the Light Water Reactor Technology -- 3 The Current Status of the World Nuclear Industry -- 4 The Collision of Atomic and Flow Renewable Power in Decarbonization of Electricity Supply -- 5 The Historical Development of the Costs of Nuclear Power -- 6 Renewable Energies versus Nuclear Power. Comparison of Financial Support Exemplified at the Case of Hinkley Point C -- 7 Financing Nuclear Decommissioning -- 8 Accessing to the Union without access to EURATOM-Leaving EURATOM without leaving the EU Treaty-BREXIT as game changer? -- 9 Economic Management of Future Nuclear Accidents -- 10 Corporate Policies of the Nuclear Vendors -- 11 The Technological Development of Different Generations and Reactor Concepts --Nuclear Waste, Proliferation -- 12 Decommissioning of Nuclear Power Plants and Storage of Nuclear Waste. Experiences from Germany, France, and the U.K. --13 Future Prospects on Coping with Nuclear Waste-- 14 Riding to the Rescue? The Changing Picture in China and the Global Future of Nuclear Power -- 15 Three Decades after Chernobyl: Technical or Human Causes? -- 16 The Reality after Fukushima in Japan. Actual Damage to Local People -- 17 Distributing the Costs of Nuclear Core Melts. Japan’s Experience after 7 Years -- 18 On New Thinking and Designs of Electricity Markets. Heading towards Democratic and Sustainable Electricity Systems

This open access book discusses the eroding economics of nuclear power for electricity generation as well as technical, legal, and political acceptance issues. The use of nuclear power for electricity generation is still a heavily disputed issue. Aside from technical risks, safety issues, and the unsolved problem of nuclear waste disposal, the economic performance is currently a major barrier. In recent years, the costs have skyrocketed especially in the European countries and North America. At the same time, the costs of alternatives such as photovoltaics and wind power have significantly decreased