Nuclear Innovation: Clean Energy Future

Goal

The NICE Future initiative aims to initiate a dialogue on the role that clean and reliable nuclear energy can play in bolstering economic growth, energy security and access, and environmental stewardship—with a focus on innovative applications for advanced nuclear systems to enable coordinated and integrated clean energy systems of the future.

The initiative seeks to achieve this goal in support of the following strategic objectives:

Bring nuclear energy from traditional, nuclear-only fora to broader multilateral discussions on clean energy at both the ministerial and working levels;
Engage both nuclear and non-nuclear energy policy makers and stakeholders in a discussion on the role of nuclear energy in integrated clean energy systems of the future; and
Ensure energy policy-makers are informed of the opportunities and challenges of the full range of options needed to meet global clean energy goals—covering areas of technology feasibility, economics and financing, and stakeholder perspectives.

Overview

NICE Future aims to ensure that nuclear energy receives appropriate representation in high-level discussions about clean energy.

The initiative engages diverse stakeholders to focus on full-scale nuclear for baseload electricity as well as innovative, next-generation technologies and integrated renewable-nuclear energy systems across four key areas:

Technology evaluations of innovative energy systems and uses
Engagement of policy makers and stakeholders in future energy choices
Valuation, market structure, and ability to finance
Communicating nuclear energy’s role in clean, integrated energy systems

WEBINAR SERIES

Goal

Initiate a cross-sectoral dialogue

Additional information

To view more NICE Future Webinars, please visit The NICE FUTURE Y outube page

How to join?

Have an idea for a webinar ? Submit a proposal

KNOWLEDGE PRODUCTS

Goal

Develop resources for policy makers

Additional information

Nuclear’s Role in Clean Energy: Fact Sheet Series

The NICE Future initiative developed a set of fact sheets that provide high-level information on the potential role of nuclear energy in current and future clean energy systems, providing information on the overarching benefits of nuclear energy, the scale of technologies available, and opportunities to provide clean energy for the grid, industry, and transportation.

Nuclear Energy: Environmental Sustainability and Clean Air https://www.nice-future.org/assets/pdfs/21-50289-nuclear-energy.pdf

Advanced Nuclear Reactors—A Valuable Clean Energy Resource https://www.nice-future.org/assets/pdfs/21-50289-advanced-nuclear-reactors.pdf

Clean, Reliable Energy in Small Packages: Micro- and Small Modular Reactors https://www.nice-future.org/assets/pdfs/21-50289-micro-and-small-modular-reactors.pdf

Integrated Energy Systems: Maximizing Clean Energy for Industry, Transportation, and the Grid https://www.nice-future.org/assets/pdfs/21-50289-integrated-energy-systems.pdf

NICE Future also produces regular publications on the benefits of nuclear. Please find these below.

2021: Fact Sheet: Actions to Enable Flexible Nuclear Energy https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy21osti/80146.pdf 2021: Pathways to net zero using nuclear innovation https://www.nice-future.org/assets/pdfs/nice-future-pathways-june2021.pdf

2020: Flexible Nuclear Energy for Clean Energy Systems https://www.nrel.gov/docs/fy20osti/77088.pdf

2019: OECD NEA Report : The True Costs of Decarbonisation https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Zcx1ep9PyLU&list=PLKRmGa9s99JU9y8VL7Fjn812Wv0vr_m2f&index=13

Breakthroughs: Nuclear innovation for clean energy systems tells how nuclear innovation is an enabler of clean energy systems globally. This book is intended as a starting point for examining how nuclear energy can complement broader clean energy systems and is focused on innovation happening today in the global nuclear industry. Learn more about the book here

Visit NICE FUTURE’s Resource library here

ENGAGING YOUTH AND WOMEN

Goal

Build partnerships and engage in outreach

In addition to many activities on youth and women in nuclear, NICE also created an expert group to research the impacts on social equity and economic empowerment (RISE3). RISE3 provides expert resources and creates a blueprint for countries transitions to a clean and just energy economy with nuclear innovation as a key pillar.