3. Comparison
In the previous chapters you could read the definition of nuclear power and it’s alternatives.
In this chapter, we will compare Belgium to other European countries in the field of nuclear power. The information that we will use we obtained by contacting the embassies of these European countries, we added information we found on the internet. The European countries that we are going to compare are: France, Slovakia, Sweden,Czech Republic, the Netherlands, Spain and Germany. First we’re going to discuss these countries’ nuclear power production and nuclear power use. At the end of this chapter we’ll make the comparison of these countries and Belgium.
On the graph you could see that all the countries that we are going to discuss have a fairly large share in nuclear power production/consumption. Concerning nuclear power Belgium belongs to the top three,. Slovakia is also in the top three. The Netherlands has the smallest share in nuclear power of all the European countries. France has the largest share in nuclear power.
France
Before World War two, France was involved in nuclear research through the work of the Joliot-Curies. The Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique (CEA) was created by Charles de Gaulle on 18 October 1945. Its mandate was to conduct fundamental and it applied research into many areas, including the design of nuclear reactors. After the war the nuclear research was discontinued because of the instability of France and a lack of finances available. In the 1950’s a civil nuclear research program was started. In 1957, brief after the Suez Crisis and the diplomatic tension with both the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics (USSR) and the United States, French president René Coty decided the creation of the C.S.E.M. in what was the French Sahara, a new nuclear testing facility replacing the CIEES testing facility.
France became nuclear, because there was a lack of other energy sources and there was an oil crisis. The first nuclear power plant by EDF in France was opened in 1962. France has nineteen power plants and fiftyeight nuclear reactors. 75% of the French energy is depending on nuclear power. The nuclear power industry employs about 400,000 persons in France.
The French government wants to reduce its nuclear energy consumption from 75% to 50% and the minister of environment wants to close seventeen nuclear power plants by 2025.
An overview of all nuclear power plants in France.
Slovakia
In 1972, Slovakia’s first nuclear power reactor began operating. Slovakia has four nuclear reactors and these reactors produce more than 50% of its energy. The government in Slovakia is very committed to keep the nuclear power reactors active, there are even two more reactors under construction. The government wants to shut the Bohunice V1 reactors and they will replace it with two other reactors.
Sweden
In 1964, Sweden's first nuclear power reactor began operating. From 1970 until 1985 there were twelve commercial nuclear power reactors build. Two of the reactors are not in use anymore. The ten reactors that are in use these day are accommodated in three nuclear power plants in Vasberg, Oskarshamn and Östhammer.
Sweden stands on the 11the place what the number of nuclear reactors concerns in 2013. Since the 3 mile nuclear incident in the US, there was a referendum in 1980 about the future of nuclear power in Sweden. After this referendum there was a phase-out policy developed. There were no new licences for nuclear reactors would be provided. The existing reactors were not to operate any longer than the expected life of the youngest reactor.
Since 2014 the governments has increased taxes on nuclear energy production in other to discourage the construction of new reactors. In 2015 Vattenfall (state-owned company) had decided to close four out of a total of ten nuclear reactors to be shut down early (between 2017 and 2020). The future of the remaining six reactors is uncertain, which may have an effect on the electricity supply. Sweden’s energy differs significantly from that of the other European member states, with a much greater share of nuclear energy and renewable energy.
Nuclear power, crude oil and derivatives, bioflues, Hydroelectric power are the main energy sources of sweden.
Czech Republic
In 1956, the decision was made to build the first nuclear power plant in the Czech Republic. In 1970 an agreement with the Soviet Union was made to build two power stations of the VVER reactor design.
One plant was built in Jaslovské Bohunice, the other in Dukovany. The first new reactor in Jaslovské Bohunice was activated in 1978 the remaining seven during the 1980’s.
The Czech Republic has two nuclear power plants: Temelin and Dukovany. The Czech Republic has six nuclear reactors generating about one third of its electricity.
The governments wants to build five extra nuclear power plants, to increase the energy production. They see nuclear power as the basis of their energy mix, and they keep seeing it as an important energy source. Nuclear power is expected to become the main source of electricity with its share rising for 35% between 46% and 58% in 2040. The Czech Republic government doesn’t see a big future in green energy.
Nuclear power plant Dukovany
The Netherlands
During and after the Second World War, Dutch scientists worked hard on nuclear research. In 1950, the Netherlands entered into a cooperation agreement with Norway. Norway turned out to being advanced research and even building a nuclear reactor in Kjeller. Norway had heavy water but no uranium. From 1951 onwards, the Netherlands made a substantial contribution to the joint research programme, Joint Establishment for Nuclear Energy Research (JENER), which also started operating the Kjeller nuclear reactor. It was also the first nuclear reactor of countries that did not already have a military nuclear programme.
At the end of the 1950’s, the construction of the first nuclear reactors in Petten and Delft began. In the 1960’s, these reactors were put in to use. In 1965, the construction of the first nuclear power plant in Dodenwaard began.
The purpose of this power plant was to gain knowledge and experience in the field of electricity generation. This power plant closed in 1997. In 1973 the nuclear power plant in Borssele. The latter is still in operation and accounts for 3.9 percent of Dutch electricity generation.
In 2013, State Secretary Pieter van Geel decided that the several hundred thousand euros freed up to produce extra energy would be better invested in renewable energy sources than in nuclear energy. It was also decided that enough money should go to nuclear power to keep the Borssele nuclear power plant open until 2033.
Nuclear power plant Borssele
Spain
The establishment of the Atomic Research Board in the from of a study. The work during the period of 1948-1950 focuses on two aspects. First, the training abroad of the first Spanish experts on nuclear issues. Secondly, the search for uranium to serve as raw material for the development of the first investigations. The studies conducted by the Board, lead by Decree-law on 22 October 1951 to the Nuclear Energy Board, which aimed to provide new knowledge in the process of energy production. In 1963, the authorization of the enactment of the Nuclear Energy Act from the Central will be the first Spanish (Almonacid de Zorita, Guadalajara) later known as Jose Cabrera.
In June 1965, the construction began, this was three years after the plant was synchronized and provided power to the grid for the first time. In 1971, the Santa Maria de Garoña nuclear power plant opened. In 1972, a year after the opening, the network was connected to the Spanish-French central Vandellós (Tarragona).The first commercial nuclear power reactor began operating in 1968. In 1989, there was a fire in the latter and this fire destroyed part of its facilities. After evaluating the technical and economic feasibility of repair made a year after the fire, led to the decision to withdraw this plant. In the early 1980s, construction of a third generation of five plants was started, but following a 1984 moratorium following the election of a socialist government, only two were completed.
In 2017, the production leader of the electricity market in Spain was nuclear energy, producing 21,17%. The nuclear electricity production was about 40% of the non-emissions electricity produced in Spain. Spain has seven nuclear reactors generating a fifth of its electricity.
Nuclear Power Plants in Spain
The Spanish Minister of Energy, Tourism and Digital Agenda, Álvaro Nadal, announced 1st August 2017 the decision to deny the renewal of exploitation of the Santa María de Garoña Power Plant, in spite of the favourable judgment from the Nuclear Security Council. This Nuclear power plant was shut down on December 16th 2012, and since July 6th 2013 was undergoing administrative cessation of activity for reasons other than nuclear safety and radiological protection.
Germany
In the late 1950’s nuclear power was first developed in Germany. Before the 1960’s a few experimental reactors went online. In 1960 an experimental nuclear power station in Kahl am Main opened. All of the German nuclear power plants that opened between 1960 and 1970 had a power output of less than 1,000 MW and have now all closed down. In 1969, the first commercial plant started operating in Germany. Obrigheim was the first grid station, Obrigheim operated until 2005.
Gird station Obrigheim
In the early 1960’s there was a proposal to build a nuclear power station in West-Berlin, the project was dropped in 1962. In 1967, there was another attempt to site a reactor in a major city. When BASF planned to build a nuclear power station at Ludwigshafen, to supply process steam. The project was eventually withdrawn.
In the early 1970’s, the construction of the nuclear plant at Wyhl was prevented, because of large public demonstrations.
The nuclear power plant, the Rheinsberg was the first nuclear power plant in East-Germany. This power plant was first an experimental power plant. It was of low power and operated from 1966 until 1990. The second nuclear power plant in Germany, the Greifswald Nuclear Power Plant, was planned to house eight of the Russian 440 MW VVER-440 reactors. In 1990, during the German reunification, all nuclear power plants were closed due to differences in safety standards.
The Stendal Nuclear Power Plant in East Germany, was to be the largest nuclear power station in Germany. After the reunification en due to concerns about the design (the Soviet design), the construction of the power plant was stopped and was never completed.
The nuclear power in Germany in 2011 accounted voor 17,7% of national electricity supply, compared to 22,4% in 2010. German engineering giant Siemens announced a complete withdrawal from the nuclear industry in 2011, as a response to the Fukushima nuclear disaster. Since 2017, the share of nuclear power in the electricity sector in the country decreasing following the decision of a complete nuclear phase out by the end of the decade. The government wants to close all nuclear power plants by 2022. Due to the closure of nuclear power plants, Germany has one of the highest CO2 emissions in Europe.
Belgium
Belgium is known as one of the most nuclear countries in the world. Belgium is one of the thirteen countries who have dumped radioactive waste in the ocean. After the second world war, Belgium did not hesitate to opt for nuclear power. In 1913, uranium was discovered in Belgian Congo and since then ‘the nuclear energy story’ began in Belgium. There was also found uranium ore in Shinkolobwe, this ore was exceptionally rich and before the Second World War the United States were very interested in this ore and they expressed their interested. In 1942, the United States required uranium for the Manhattan programme and Belgium was one of the few countries with a considerable stock of uranium ore. Belgium was the following decade through Belgian Congo on of the main supplier of uranium ore to the United States. The trade relation between the United States and Belgium resulted in Belgium granted access to nuclear technology for civil purposes.
Shinkolobwe mine
In 1952 a centre for nuclear power research (the SCK-CEN) was established in Belgium. The first reactor BR1 (Belgian Reactor 1) was built in 1956. The construction of the second reactor BR2 (Belgian Reactor 2). BR2 is one of the five main reactors producing molybdenum-99, the radioisotope used in more than 80% of diagnostic imaging procedures in nuclear medicine.
From 1970 onwards Belgium started its own nuclear programme with the construction of four reactors in Doel and three reactors in Thinage. Currently Belgium has sevens nuclear reactors.
In september 2017 73% of the electricity produced in Belgium was low carbon oil. When people hear the word low carbon oil, they easily think that its produced by the sun and wind. But in reality the majority – more than three quarters was produced by nuclear power plants. The other quarter came from wind, solar, hydro and biomass. Nuclear power, wind and solar power are all three low-carbon energy sources. What many people forget is that there is little or no emission of CO2 in the production of electricity of nuclear power. In Belgium, it mainly nuclear energy that makes the largest contribution in our electricity production, with about half our electricity production.
The energy mix of september 2017 was on average as follows :
Nuclear power: 65%
Wind energy: 4%
Solar energy: 4%
Fossil energy and others: 27%
In 2003, the Belgian government decided to slowly close the nuclear power plants by 2025. The closure has a big impact on our lives, because half of our electricity production comes from nuclear power plants. Nuclear power is a relatively cheap energy source, that's why the price paid for electricity has remained fairly stable in recent years. Without nuclear energy in Belgium, the price of electricity will increase. Without the nuclear power plants, electricity production will have to be taken over by other energy sources. Today, sun and wind produce about 15% of the electricity in Belgium. Renewable energy in unpredictable. This means that other energy sources have to help the energy supply. The planning Bureau expects the share of renewable energy in electricity production to more than 44% by 2030. In addition to renewable energy, these will also be fossil-fuel power stations, resulting a much higher CO2 emissions. There are speculations that Belgium could no longer meet the climate target in this way, as we know that nuclear power plants can reduce CO2 emissions.
distribution of renewable energy
There has been a great deal in the news about 'cracks' in the Doel 3 and Tihange 2 nuclear reactors. The reality is that we are talking about hydrogen flakes. There were a lot of people who thought that the reactors should’ve been closed, because of the ‘cracks’. Following certain inspections carried out, certain impurities were detected in the Doel 3 reactor vessel and later in the Tihange 2 reactor vessel. After further research, it turned out to be hydrogen inclusions, a well-known phenomenon in metallurgy. Nuclear power stations are then subjected to a detailed and documented investigation, which no nuclear power station in the world has ever been subjected to. More than 1,500 tests are carried out on the materials and tens of thousands of man-hours are invested in research.After thorough inspections, it was confirmed that the structure of the Doel 3 and Tihange 2 reactors is intact.
With this machine the hydrogen flakes were discovered.
Comparison
Now that we have discussed all the countries, it is time to compare them with Belgium in the field of nuclear energy. All these countries have had a thorough preliminary examination of whether or not they should have nuclear power plants.
In order to compare Belgium with the other countries we will concentrate on:
CO2 emissions
percentage of the nuclear power in comparison to the total energy production
amount of power plants and nuclear reactors
end of nuclear power use
We discussed the countries' CO2 emissions. It became clear that the countries that had nuclear power plants had lower CO2 emissions. It also became clear that if the countries want to stop fewer nuclear power plants, they will emit more CO2 and this means that this is 'worse' for the climate than nuclear power plants. Belgium is not doing badly in terms of emissions at the moment, but if it closes nuclear power plants, it will be worse. Thanks to the closure of nuclear power stations, Germany is one of the countries with the highest CO2 emissions.
In Belgium, nuclear energy is responsible for a large part of the energy production, while Belgium has seven nuclear reactors. In contrast, the nuclear power plant in Germany was responsible for 17.7% of energy consumption in 2011. In 2017, nuclear power was the production leader of the energy market in Spain. Spain has seven nuclear reactors and these generate one fifth of the electricity in Spain. The Netherlands currently has a nuclear power plant in operation, which accounts for 3.9% of German energy production. The Czech Republic has two nuclear power plants and six nuclear reactors. In the Czech Republic nuclear power is at the basis of the energy mix. In Sweden, six nuclear reactors are currently still in operation, accounting for 34.4% of energy production. In Slovakia, the share of nuclear energy is half, with the four nuclear reactors providing half of the energy. In France, this figure is even higher, with nuclear energy accounting for 75% of the total energy share. France has the highest number of nuclear power plants and reactors, with nineteen nuclear power plants and fifty-eight nuclear reactors.
In some of the countries mentioned, there are plans to close the majority or all of the nuclear power plants. In Belgium, it has been decided to slowly close down the already existing nuclear power plants by 2025. In Germany, the government wants to close the nuclear power plants by 2022. This is therefore three years later than the expected closure of nuclear power plants in Belgium. This chapter does not deal with the closure of nuclear power stations in France. In the Netherlands, they shut down a nuclear power plant in 1997, the others are still in operation and it seems that it will remain in operation for some time until 2033 at least. The government of the Czech Republic wants to keep the nuclear power stations open for a long time to come, because they do not see a great future in green energy. In Sweden, the government also wants to close down nuclear power plants slowly; the first step they have already taken is to levy taxes on the production of nuclear energy. They want to close all nuclear power plants between 2017 and 2022. In Slovakia, they do not want to shut down nuclear reactors; in fact, they are going to shut down a reactor and replace it with two new ones. In France,the government wants to close at least 17 plants by 2025.