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The views expressed in this Report are those of the authors of the papers and contributors to the discussion individually and not necessarily those of their institutions or companies or of The Watt Committee on Energy Ltd. Published by: The Watt Committee on Energy Ltd The London Science Centre 18 Adam Street London WC2N 6AH Telephone: 01–930 7637 This edition published in the Taylor & Francis e-Library, 2005. “To purchase your own copy of this or any of Taylor & Francis or Routledge’s collection of thousands of eBooks please go to www.eBookstore.tandf.co.uk.” © The Watt Committee on Energy Ltd 1984 ISBN 0-203-21029-8 Master e-book ISBN
ISBN 0-203-26812-1 (Adobe eReader Format) ISSN 0141-9676 (Print Edition)
THE WATT COMMITTEE ON ENERGY REPORT NUMBER 13
NUCLEAR ENERGY a Professional Assessment
The Watt Committee on Energy Ltd A Company limited by guarantee: Reg. in England No. 1350046 Charity Commissioners Registration No. 279087 MARCH 1984
Contents
Foreword
v
The role of the Watt Committee in Nuclear Energy
1
1.1
The Watt Committee on Energy
1
1.2
Objectives of this Report
1
Supply, demand and economics
3
2.1
Supply and Demand
3
2.2
Economics of Nuclear Power
15
Technical means
22
3.1
Types of Nuclear Reactor
22
3.2
Reactor Fuel Cycle
29
3.3
Nuclear Energy for Applications other than Large-scale Electricity Generation
32
Availability of resources
47
4.1
Nuclear Fuel Resources
47
4.2
British Resources of Nuclear Fuel
52
4.3
British Industrial Capacity
53
4.4
Manpower Requirements for a British Nuclear Power Programme
61
Environment
67
5.1
Environmental Issues
67
5.2
Disposal of Radioactive Waste
73
Balance of risk and advantage in the peaceful use of Nuclear Energy
84
6.1
Proliferation
84
6.2
Aspects of Safety and Risk
86
6.3
Benefits of Nuclear Power
96
6.4
Public Acceptability of Nuclear Energy
96
Section 1
Section 2
Section 3
Section 4
Section 5
Section 6
iv
6.5
Public Awareness and Public Education
104
6.6
Conclusion
107
Summary and general comments
108
7.1
Objectives of this Report
108
7.2
Main Considerations
108
7.3
Concluding Comment
117
Thirteenth Consultative Council Meeting of the Watt Committee on Energy
118
The Nuclear Debate
142
(a)
Causes of Public Concern
142
(b)
Nuclear Reactor Accidents
144
Background Information
146
(a)
The British Nuclear Industry
146
(b)
Some Common Abbreviations
148
THE WATT COMMITTEE ON ENERGY
151
Policy
153
Members of Executive, August 1983
151
Member Institutions
151
List of published Watt Committee on Energy Reports
151
Section 7
Appendices 1. 2.
3.
Foreword
At a number of meetings of the Watt Committee Executive, I mentioned my embarrassment at being asked repeatedly by all