A Technology Roadmap for Generation IV Nuclear Energy Systems, Ten Nations Preparing Today for Tomorrow's Energy Needs

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.

Simply expanding energy use using today’s mix of
production options, however, will continue to have
adverse environmental impacts and potential long-term
consequences from global climate change. For the Earth
to support its population, we must increase the use of
energy supplies that are clean, safe, and cost-effective.
Prominent among these supplies is nuclear energy.
There are currently 438 nuclear power plants in operation
around the world, producing 16% of the world’s
electricity—the largest share provided by any
nongreenhouse-gas-emitting source. This yields a
significant reduction in the environmental impact of
today’s electric generation. To continue this benefit,
new systems will be needed to replace plants as they
retire. In the latter part of this century, the environmental
benefits of nuclear energy can expand and even
extend to other energy products besides electricity. For
example, nuclear energy can be used to generate hydrogen
for use in petroleum refinement and as a transportation
fuel to reduce the dependence upon oil, and to
desalinate water in areas where fresh water is in short
supply. To deliver this benefit, new systems will be
needed, requiring near-term deployment of nuclear
plants and significant research and development (R&D)
on next-generation systems.

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 longterm
supply and without adverse environmental impacts.

To enhance the future role of nuclear energy systems,
this technology roadmap defines and plans the necessary
R&D to support a generation of innovative nuclear
energy systems known as Generation IV. Generation IV
nuclear energy systems comprise the nuclear reactor and
its energy conversion systems, as well as the necessary
facilities for the entire fuel cycle from ore extraction to
final waste disposal.