Going nuclear is back on the energy agenda

INTEREST IN NUCLEAR power is undergoing something of a resurgence. Ironically, this is being driven, in part, by green issues. Some argue that only nuclear power can meet growing electricity demand and provide energy security, while reducing carbon emissions as a contribution to controlling global warming.

The contentious aspects that surround the benefits and risks of a nuclear future will come under discussion when a UK expert on technology policy and energy supply comes to Dublin next month to deliver an Ireland in 2030 lecture.

The speaker on Monday, May 12th, at the RDS Concert Hall, is Dr William J Nuttall, a senior lecturer at Judge Business School at the University of Cambridge, and Cambridge's Engineering Department. Nuttall is an expert in science and technology public policy, with particular expertise in energy supply.

In a talk titled Nuclear Energy - Why is it on the Agenda?, Nuttall will argue that there is an emerging middle ground in Europe willing to look at nuclear energy. He does not advocate nuclear energy, but will explain what aspects of European energy technology and policy have changed to bring nuclear back into the energy debate.

There are three factors that are forcing a rethink on nuclear, he believes.

"The cost of building nuclear power stations has reduced somewhat, but other options are rising in cost, because of the need to factor in costs associated with carbon-dioxide emissions," he says.

Security of supply is another key issue, which, he says, is "driving up costs" for non-nuclear energy modes. The third factor is the environment itself, and the need to meet Kyoto targets and control carbon emissions.

"The policy backdrop towards the end of this decade is very different to that of 20 years ago," he says. He doesn't view nuclear power as a necessity, "but I don't regard it as intrinsically evil", he adds. For these reasons, a public debate is necessary.

Nuttall has considerable experience in the energy sphere and has written books on the subject including Nuclear Renaissance (IOP, Taylor & Francis, 2005).

He has a role in the UK Economic and Social Research Council's electricity policy research group and has assisted the UK Parliamentary Office for Science and Technology and the International Energy Agency.

The Ireland in 2030 lectures are a joint Royal Dublin Society/Irish Times initiative. The objective of the series is to examine the serious long-term challenges that face Ireland and to raise awareness of what each of us can do to help meet them.

The lecture will take place at 7pm in the RDS Concert Hall. Admission is free, but to avoid disappointment places should be booked in advance. E-mail science@rds.ie or tel: 01-2407289.