realizing the “atoms for peace” vision

Realizing the “Atoms for Peace” VisionRealizing the “Atoms for Peace” Vision

William D. Magwood, IV, DirectorOffice of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology

U.S. Department of Energy

October 22, 2003

Magwood/Dec18_02 USCard.ppt 2

Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology

“Peaceful power from atomic energy is no dream of the future. That capability, already proved, is here now - today.”

- President Eisenhower, “Atoms for Peace”

Eisenhower Envisioned Atoms for Peace to:

Harness nuclear technology to benefit mankind

Pave the way for commercialization of nuclear power

Assist other nations in the peaceful development of nuclear technology

The Atoms for Peace EraThe Atoms for Peace Era



Shippingport Reactor

Early Success: The First Generation of Nuclear Power PlantsEarly Success: The First Generation of Nuclear Power Plants

Big Rock Point

Elk River StationHumbolt Bay

Yankee Nuclear Power Station

Commercial Operation: 1963







“The NEPD Group recommends that the President support the expansion of nuclear energy in the United States as a major component of our national energy policy.” Report of the National Energy Policy Development Group, May 2001

Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant

The National Energy Policy and Nuclear PowerThe National Energy Policy and Nuclear Power

Recommendations:

♦ Support expansion of nuclear energy in the United States

♦ Develop advanced nuclear fuel cycles and next generation technologies

♦ Develop advanced recycling and fuel treatment technologies that do not separate pure plutonium



♦ 2001 National Energy Policy encourages the expanded use of nuclear energy

♦ Yucca Mountain designated the U.S. spent fuel repository

♦ Nuclear Power 2010 initiated to pave the way toward new nuclear plants

♦ Generation IV program established with international community

♦ National Hydrogen Fuel Initiative set a far-sighted vision toward an emissions-free future

Embarking on The Atoms for Prosperity Era Embarking on The Atoms for Prosperity Era



U.S.A. ArgentinaBrazilUnited Kingdom

South Korea Japan CanadaFranceSwitzerland South Africa EuropeanUnion

Generation IV: An International InitiativeGeneration IV: An International Initiative

♦ This international collaboration began in January 2000

♦ It’s purpose: to bring next-generation nuclear energy system technology to a state of maturity allowing for commercial deployment

♦ Generation IV reactors will offer improvements in:

• Reactor safety and reliability

• Proliferation resistance and physical protection

• Economic competitiveness

• Sustainability

♦ The effort is led by the Generation IV International Forum



The energy from one pound of nuclear fuel could provide the hydrogen equivalent of 250,000 gallons of gasoline without any carbon emissions.

Hydrogen:Nuclear Power for TransportationHydrogen:Nuclear Power for Transportation

♦ President Bush has announced the National Hydrogen Fuel Initiative

♦ Long-term, a 30 million t/yr U.S. hydrogen supply would be able to replace one-quarter of our gasoline use

♦ Nuclear energy required for this would be 225 GWth



Atoms for Peace and ProsperityAtoms for Peace and Prosperity

The last 50 years saw the realization of Eisenhower’s vision of Atoms for Peace

We have a new vision today to establish Atoms for Prosperity

for future generations

realizing the “atoms for peace” vision

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