Development directions of nuclear technology towards the most promising source of energy

Stojanović, Bogdan (2023) Development directions of nuclear technology towards the most promising source of energy. In: BEZPEČNOSTNÉ FÓRUM 2023 (SECURITY FORUM 2023), The 16th annual scientific conference, Matej Bel University, Banská Bystrica, February 8th-9th, 2023. Interpolis, Banská Bystrica, Slovakia, pp. 254-264. ISBN 978-80-973394-9-4

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Abstract

This paper explores the scope and limitations of nuclear energy in general, as well as trends in the development of nuclear technology. The big question is whether renewable energy sources can replace the growing global hunger for energy. Due to their polluting effects and relatively rapid drying up, fossil fuels will have to be replaced. What is the alternative? The author argues that renewable sources do not have the capacity to replace fossil fuels on the pedestal of world energy needs and that only nuclear energy is capable of this. The main hypothesis of the work is that nuclear energy is currently one of the cleanest form of energy production despite all its shortcomings, but in the not so distant future it will convincingly become the most ecological and cost-effective way of energy production. The main axes of development of nuclear technology with huge potential are: fusion reactors, thorium-based nuclear reactors and uranium extraction from seawater. All three fields of development have already been experimentally and operationally proven to work, and future progress is based on improving their commercial viability. Analyzing the consequences of the successful implementation of fusion and thorium reactors, with potentially unlimited sources of nuclear fuel, the author dares to predict when nuclear energy will take the number one position in the global energy arena.

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