Non-electricity products of nuclear energy

Technically nuclear fission reactors in operation or being built can supply non-electricity products. However, while non-electrical applications have been considered since the very beginning of nuclear energy development, they have not been deployed to significant industrial scale in any country so far.

The present report endeavours to investigate: technical requirements for nuclear energy systems to become cost effective for supplying non-electricity products; potential markets for non-electricity products that nuclear energy systems could supply eventually; and policy issues to be addressed for facilitating the development of non-electrical applications of nuclear energy in countries wishing to rely on this option.

The report was reviewed by the NDC and benefited from comments and suggestions from its members. However, its does not reflect automatically the views of all NEA member countries. It is published under the responsibility of the Secretary-General of OECD.

The entire report (pdf format, 340 kb) can be downloaded in one file.

Introduction

Current status and future prospects for nuclear non-electricity products

Current Status
District Heat
Desalinated Water
Process Heat
Hydrogen
Propulsion
Long-term Prospects

Supply potential for nuclear non-electricity energy products

Current Capabilities for Near-term Deployment
Water-cooled Reactors
Gas-cooled Reactors
Long-term Expectations

Strategic issues for development and deployment

Market-oriented Issues
Market Characteristics
Market Size
Competitiveness of Nuclear Energy
Initiation of Actions
Technology-oriented Issues
Resource-oriented Issues
Social and Legal Issues

Findings and recommendations

References

Non-electricity products of nuclear energy

Table of contents