原子力利用の技術動向と先進性

世界的に、低炭素エネルギー資源は、気候変動と戦い、パリ気候サミットの宣言、特に炭素排出のネットゼロ目標の遵守を確実にするためにますます重要になってきています。原子力は、その高いエネルギー密度、再生可能エネルギー源と比較した場合の低い土地占有面積、化石燃料発電所とのコスト競争力から、重要な役割を果たすことができます。しかし、原子力発電所の安全性には以前から懸念がありました。このため、業界各社は原子炉の安全性を高めるため、プラント設計に継続的な変更を加えています。

当レポートでは、原子力利用の技術動向と先進性について調査し、市場の概要とともに、戦略的インペラティブ、成長の機会などを提供しています。

目次

戦略的インペラティブ

• 成長がますます困難になるのはなぜか
• 戦略的インペラティブ
• 原子力業界に対する上位3つの戦略的インペラティブの影響
• 成長の機会が成長パイプラインエンジンを加速させる

成長機会分析

• 分析範囲
• セグメンテーション
• 成長促進要因
• 成長抑制要因

技術スナップショット

原子力の情勢：主要なイノベーション

特許情勢

• 米国は核分裂の研究開発活動をリード

成長の機会

• 成長の機会1：低排出水素に対する需要の高まりが、第4世代原子炉の開発を後押し
• 成長の機会2：産業用脱炭素化と電化の必要性は、小型モジュラー原子炉の展開をサポート
• 成長の機会3：原子力は、現在の地政学的雰囲気の中でエネルギー安全保障とエネルギーの独立性を確保

付録

次のステップ

Next-generation Nuclear Technologies Promote Carbon Neutrality and Hydrogen Economy Growth Opportunities

Globally, low-carbon energy resources are increasingly critical to combat climate change and ensure adherence to the Paris Climate Summit declarations, especially net zero carbon emissions targets. Nuclear energy can play a critical role due to its high energy density, low land footprint compared to renewable energy sources, and cost competitiveness with fossil-fueled power plants. However, there have long been concerns surrounding the safety of nuclear power plants. This has prompted industry players to make continuous changes in plant design to enhance the safety profile of reactors. There are also significant R&D efforts in plant miniaturization, notably the development of small modular reactors, to make nuclear energy a key tool in decarbonizing the energy and industrial sector. The nuclear industry is also gearing up for its next growth phase by developing Generation IV reactors, which involve changes in the working fluid, coolants, operating temperatures, and power output, among others.

With the recent downturn in geopolitical stability in Europe, high natural gas prices, and efforts to ensure energy security, nuclear power is set to record strong growth in upcoming years. The study describes the major technology trends, growth drivers, and restraints in next-generation nuclear energy technologies. It also offers a detailed growth opportunity analysis and explores the key stakeholders developing advanced nuclear plant designs, including Generation III - III+ and Generation IV reactors. The study analyzes the global patent landscape for nuclear fission technologies and highlights the main patent owners/applicants and major research areas.

Table of Contents

Strategic Imperatives

• Why Is It Increasingly Difficult to Grow?The Strategic Imperative 8™: Factors Creating Pressure on Growth
• The Strategic Imperative 8™
• The Impact of the Top 3 Strategic Imperatives on the Nuclear Power Industry
• Growth Opportunities Fuel the Growth Pipeline Engine™
• Research Methodology

Growth Opportunity Analysis

• Scope of Analysis
• Segmentation
• Growth Drivers
• Growth Restraints

Technology Snapshot

• Nuclear Fission-Technology Introduction and Attributes
• Advanced Nuclear Power Reactors
• Nuclear Fission Process
• The Most Advanced Nuclear Reactor Designs are Based on PWR and BWR
• Advanced Nuclear Reactors Represent the Next Stage in the Deployment of Fission Reactors
• SMRs Can be a Game Changer in Widening Nuclear Power Application Scope
• Generation IV Reactors Will Gain Traction Beyond 2030
• Cost Breakdown of Nuclear Power Plants
• Generating Nuclear Power is Cheaper Than Coal and Combined cycle Plants
• Kazakhstan is the Largest Mined Uranium Producer, While France and China Have the Highest Enrichment Capacity
• Nuclear Waste Management is a Crucial Part of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle

Nuclear Energy Landscape: Key Innovations

• Superior Safety and Cost Savings with Next-generation ABWR
• Advanced PWR Offering Superior Thermal Efficiency and Cooling System
• Stable Salt Fast Reactor with the Capacity to Burn Waste Nuclear fuel
• Cost-competitive and Safe SMR
• Next-Generation SMR for Decentralized Applications
• PWR-based SMR Offering Low Cost and Easy Deployment
• Generation-IV Offering High Safety and Efficiency

Patent Landscape

• United States Leads in Nuclear Fission R&D Activity

Growth Opportunity Universe

• Growth Opportunity 1: Growing Demand for Low Emission Hydrogen Will Support Generation IV Reactor Development
• Growth Opportunity 1: Growing Demand for Low-emission Hydrogen Will Support Generation IV Reactor Development (continued)
• Growth Opportunity 2: Need for Industrial Decarbonization and Electrification Will Support Deployment of Small Modular Reactors
• Growth Opportunity 2: Need for Industrial Decarbonization and Electrification Will Support the Deployment of SMRs (continued)
• Growth Opportunity 3: Nuclear Energy Can Ensure Energy Security and Energy Independence in the Current Geopolitical Atmosphere
• Growth Opportunity 3: Nuclear Energy Can Ensure Energy Security and Energy Independence in the Current Geopolitical Atmosphere (continued)

Appendix

• Technology Readiness Levels (TRL): Explanation

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