Schlinke, C. (2011). Critical analysis of the evolution of nuclear power : past, present and future generation assessment of optimization in operation, safety, economy and environmental impact [Master Thesis, Technische Universität Wien]. reposiTUm. https://resolver.obvsg.at/urn:nbn:at:at-ubtuw:1-47770
The evolution of energy producing system relied heavily on burning of fossil fuels since the second half of the 19th century. Since that time the increasing energy demand required energy sources which are able to provide stable and reliable electricity. Nuclear energy has the inherent advantage exactly being able to produce energy in that way by emitting almost no green house gases. The future energy mix has to give the possibility of limiting the global temperature increase by not only burning fossil fuels, which results in the exhaust of hydrocarbons. However, since the installation of first nuclear reactors, nuclear energy was confronted with large public anti-sentiments. They resulted because of several reasons: until today several nuclear accidents have happened, there is still the open question of insufficient waste management, economic performances of especially new power plants have to be improved, and proliferation resistance has become again a crucial issue because of reoccurrence of terroristic threats. During the last decade international programs have been launched to improve nuclear technology. The thesis tries to assess various criteria of nuclear power plant evolution including technological development, safety, proliferation resistance, waste management, environmental impact and economic performance. By giving detailed insights into the evolutionary development the question arises whether nuclear power plants are applicable for electricity production in a future energy mix.