Print this page Nuclear Power Volume III - The Future of Nuclear Power
Lee Layton, P.E.
Course Outline
This course, Volume III – The Future of Nuclear Power, gives an overview of the types of plants that are being considered for the next generation of power plants. Some of the designs covered are already operating in experimental stages, some are modifications of current designs, and others are radical new concepts that have not been commercially validated.
This course includes a multiple-choice quiz at the end, which is designed to enhance the understanding of the course materials.
Learning Objective
Upon completing this course, you should be able to do the following:
- Explain the advantages of an AP1000 reactor;
- Describe the lineage of the EPR reactor;
- Explain the advantages of the HPM reactor design;
- Understand the advantages and disadvantages of a VHTR reactor;
- Explain how a SCWR reactor works;
- Explain how a MSR reactor works;
- Explain how a GFR reactor works;
- Explain how an SFR reactor works; and
- Explain how a LFR reactor works.
Intended Audience
This course is intended for engineers who want to understand how the current generation of nuclear power plants operations.
Benefit to Attendees
This course is a discussion of the future types of nuclear power plants being planned. By taking this course you will understand how each of the next generation of power plants may operate and how they will help ensure a sustainable energy future.
Course Introduction
The world’s population is expected to expand from about 6 billion people to 10 billion people by the year 2050, all striving for a better quality of life. As the Earth’s population grows, so will the demand for energy and the benefits that it brings: improved standards of living, better health and longer life expectancy, improved literacy and opportunity, and many others.
Many of the world’s nations, both industrialized and developing, believe that a greater use of nuclear energy will be required if energy security is to be achieved. They are confident that nuclear energy can be used now and in the future to meet their growing demand for energy safely and economically, with certainty of long term supply and without adverse environmental impacts.
The current generation of commercial nuclear power plants are known as Generation II reactors (the earliest experimental reactors are classified as Generation I reactors.) Generation III plants are, for the most part, improved versions of Generation II plants and are near term ready for commercialization. Generation IV nuclear reactors will be revolutionary new designs that the industry hopes will be very economical and efficient. These reactors will likely not appear until at least 2020.
Course Content
This course content is in the following PDF document:
Nuclear Power Volume III - The Future of Nuclear Power
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Course Summary
New nuclear power plants are essential to meeting the future electric demands of the planet. The availability of affordable, clean energy will improve the standard of living and life expectancy of the world’s population. The current generation of nuclear power plant designs is morphing into the next generation (Generation III) power plants and research is active on the fourth generation of nuclear power plants. The Generation IV plants, which will likely begin appearing after 2020, are the future of the power industry for clean, affordable energy.
Quiz
Once you finish studying the above course content, you need to take a quiz to obtain the PDH credits.
DISCLAIMER: The materials contained in the online course are not intended as a representation or warranty on the part of PDH Center or any other person/organization named herein. The materials are for general information only. They are not a substitute for competent professional advice. Application of this information to a specific project should be reviewed by a registered architect and/or professional engineer/surveyor. Anyone making use of the information set forth herein does so at their own risk and assumes any and all resulting liability arising therefrom.
