بهره برداری و بهبود ارزیابی هزینه های خارجی از قدرت ترکیب

This study was performed in the framework of the Socio-Economic Research on Fusion (SERF 1999–2000), which is jointly conducted by Euratom and the fusion associations. An assessment of monetarized external impacts of the fusion fuel-cycle was previously performed applying the ExternE methodology (SERF-1), where, based on the SEAFP study, two different power plant designs were assessed, with the main difference being the structural materials and cooling system used. Although external costs values obtained were low, an improvement was achieved in the trade-off between design criteria and consequences on externalities. Structural and shielding materials in the previously studied plant models turned out to have a N-14 content that originated a significant amount of C-14 emissions. The present study includes alternative shielding materials with lower nitrogen content. With updated and improved technical and methodological inputs, a recalculation of externalities in the whole fusion fuel cycle was performed.

Population growth and economic development result in a constant growing need of electricity. In the last years, industrialised and developing countries have been continuously looking for safer, cleaner and more efficient ways of obtaining energy. In this search, not only the scarcity of resources is born in mind by policy makers but also the environmental risks associated to the dominant use of fossil fuels. That leads to an increase in the investigations and supports received by the renewable sources. Fusion power is also an energy option to be taken into account when planning a global sustainable development since, even though it cannot be considered as renewable, it has the same advantages for inexhaustibility, safety, cleanliness and efficiency.