Nuclear Energy and Power : Environmental Impacts and Other Effects

Contents: Preface. Glossary of terms. 1. Introduction to global nuclear energy. 2. Nuclear power scenario: an overview. 3. Nuclear power reactors : performance and safety issues. 4. Radioactive material: transport, storage and disposal of waste. 5. Nuclear safety and system of safeguards. 6. International atomic energy agency: roles and responsibilities. 7. Environmental, health and other effects of nuclear energy and power technologies. Appendix: Environmental and ethical aspects of radioactive waste management. Frequently asked questions. Bibliography. Index.

""Nuclear Energy and Power: Environmental Impacts and Other Effects" is a complete reference book on the subject, which will acquaint the readers with the ground realities of nuclear energy and power. Sustained nuclear safety and productivity record for the past twenty years has made nuclear operating costs relatively low and stable, the reason for 442 operating plants in the world, with the current expansion centered in Asia.

For the past five decades, many factors such as growing energy needs, economic performance, the availability of other energy sources, the quest for energy independence, environmental factors, nuclear safety and proliferation concerns, and advances in nuclear technology have shaped the role of nuclear power.

Today when the world is facing serious energy crisis and climate change problems, the issue of nuclear energy and power has regained much importance particularly in countries with rapidly growing energy demands like India and China and where alternatives sources are scarce or expensive like in Japan and South Korea.

The book divided into seven chapters focuses on various positive and negative aspects of nuclear energy and power. The chapters elaborate on issues like an in depth analysis of contemporary nuclear power production, nuclear safety and existing systems of safeguard, including the roles and responsibilities of International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the performance of nuclear reactors worldwide, the transport, storage and disposal of radioactive materials and wastes, environmental health and other effects of nuclear energy and power technologies.

The author hopes that this publication would go a long way on elaborating upon the various positive and negative aspects of nuclear energy and power and interest students and scholars in the field."