Can nuclear energy contribute to the energy transition?

TL;DR

This paper discusses the potential role of nuclear energy in the energy transition, highlighting economic and reliability challenges that limit its future contribution compared to renewables.

Contribution

It provides a critical analysis of nuclear energy's viability in future energy systems, emphasizing economic and climate-related reliability issues.

Findings

Nuclear power is currently more expensive than other energy sources.

Climate change impacts threaten the reliability of thermal power plants.

Nuclear energy's role in future low-cost, reliable energy systems is limited.

Abstract

In the course of the energy transition, energy generation from nuclear power - through nuclear fission and perhaps in the future through nuclear fusion - is often proposed as an alternative or supplement to renewable energy sources. There are already good reasons why electricity generation from nuclear energy is significantly more expensive than other forms of generation, while increasing dryness as a result of climate change is generally calling into question the reliability of thermal power plants. Nuclear energy is therefore unlikely to play a role in a future energy supply that relies on low costs and reliability.