Aug 13, 2010 14:59 GMT  ·  By
Nuclear and alternative energy could power the world within two decades, a new report shows
   Nuclear and alternative energy could power the world within two decades, a new report shows

British researchers from the Imperial College London (ICL) and the University of Cambridge are currently proposing a new long-term plan for supplying the world with electricity, which would see nuclear energy brought to the spotlight yet again.

The 20-year-long master plan foresees the development of safe nuclear reactors featuring switchable parts, the creation of mini-reactors, as well as the large-scale production of ship-borne reaction.

All of these instruments would be responsible for providing a large number of countries with all their necessary electricity, that is derived from a source cleaner than fossil fuels.

At this point, oil, natural gas and coal are the main engines behind our economy, but they are taking a devastating toll on the environment through the dangerous byproducts they release as they burn.

Experts have been looking for alternative to using these materials for many years, but thus far their efforts have been stiffed by lack of funding, and by diminished interest expressed by governments or other national authorities.

The new report, which appears in the latest issue of the journal Science, shows that achieving a future in which these methods of producing electricity are entirely gone is perfectly possible.

According to the team who conducted the research, all that's needed in order for that to become reality is a little interest, as well as a long-term commitment to investing in nuclear energy.

One of the key points in the document is that countries with existing nuclear infrastructure must ensure that their reactors and power plants are revised, maintained, or replaced over the next decade.

These nations can also augment their electricity-producing capabilities, they report goes on to say, if authorities understand the need to invest in these instruments.

“Our study explores the exciting opportunities that a renaissance in nuclear energy could bring to the world,” explains ICL Department of Materials expert professor Robin Grimes, Quoted by AlphaGalileo.

“Imagine portable nuclear power plants at the end of their working lives that can be safely shipped back by to the manufacturer for recycling, eliminating the need for countries to deal with radioactive waste,” the expert adds.

“With the right investment, these new technologies could be feasible,” he says, recognizing the need to make authorities aware of the benefits that lie in using renewable energy for powering their states.

“Concerns about climate change, energy security and depleting fossil fuel reserves have spurred a revival of interest in nuclear power generation and our research sets out a strategy for growing the industry long-term, while processing and transporting nuclear waste in a safe and responsible way,” Grimes go on to say.

The possibilities are endless for energy production. The world could be powered by renewable energy and nuclear power within a few decades, if enough interest is raised for the matter.

“In the past, there has been the perception in the community that nuclear technology has not been safe. However, what most people don’t appreciate is just how much emphasis the nuclear industry places on safety,” Grimes says.

Indeed, for many, the memory of accidents such as Three Mile Island and Chernobyl is still fresh. People in eastern European countries, for example, still suffer the after-effects of the meltdown that affected reactor 4 at the Ukrainian power plant in 1986.

“Safety is at the very core of the industry. With continual improvements to reactor design, nuclear energy will further cement its position as an important part of our energy supply in the future,” Grimes concludes.