Implementing Nuclear Power Generation In Abu Dhabi Engineering Essay Example

and produce steam at specific pressures and temperatures. This steam is then expanded in a steam turbine, converting its thermal energy into kinetic energy that rotates the turbine shaft. The turbine shaft is connected to a generator that produces electricity. Despite the controversy surrounding nuclear energy, it remains a superior alternative to power stations fueled by fossil fuels, which are significant contributors to CO2 emissions and global warming.

The focus on nuclear power development and integration is driven by concerns about crude oil shortage. Currently, the world consumes approximately 85 million barrels of oil per day. In the UAE, which ranks sixth in global petroleum oil production, depletion amounts to around 2500 barrels per day. Moreover, as the fourth-largest producer of natural gas, the UAE relies on gas imports from Qatar - a country with the second-largest natural gas reserve globally and enough supply for the next 200 years. Despite significant opposition due to potential drawbacks such as nuclear weapons development risk and human operational hazards, the UAE has decided to implement nuclear power generation to reduce dependence on these factors and meet its electricity demand.

Literature review

In his 2008 literature review, Mohamed S. El-Genk analyzed the challenges faced by GCC countries in meeting future demands for electricity and fresh water. El-Genk recommends that 30% of future electricity and process heat needs for industrial applications and seawater desalinization be met through nuclear power by 2030, despite potential economic challenges. The review concludes that the GCC's vision for addressing atomic energy is appropriate and proposes increasing the percentage of nuclear energy used from 30% to 80%, but with careful planning to integrate the

nuclear power plants in order to reduce electricity generation costs and make them comparable to those generated using fossil fuels. Mohamed M.

Megahed (2008) discussed the feasibility survey conducted by the Nuclear Power Plants Authority (NPPA) in Egypt. The survey focused on the possibility of constructing atomic power and desalination works at the El-Dabaa site. The main reason for this survey was the scarcity of water in Egypt caused by the over-utilization of hydro-energy from the River Nile. The paper concluded that building atomic power works at the proposed site location would be technically possible, economically convenient, and financially feasible, allowing for the production of electricity and drinkable water. Erkan Erdogdu (2008) evaluated the global state of atomic power and its impacts on the energy market in Turkey.

Furthermore, the focus was on the reverberations of atomic power on the Turkish energy market. The rating concluded by urging the role of atomic power in the Turkish energy market to be initially on the lower side. However, in the long run, it was recommended that it be retained and expanded, as it is cost-effective compared to other competitors. Jong H. Kim and Chauncey Starr (2000) conducted an analysis on the global issue of balancing energy demand and supply while considering environmental degradation. They found that atomic power is strong in meeting the demand for electricity while being environmentally friendly. The analysis ultimately confirmed atomic power as the most appropriate option to contribute to the 'global electrification process', which would ultimately fulfill the objective.

In his study, Ibrahim S. A1-Mutaz (2001) explored the utilization of atomic energy for desalinization in the Arabian Gulf states. The study highlighted the significance of

desalinization for water production and addressed the growing power demand. Various desalinization methods were examined, ultimately concluding that atomic desalinization is necessary and viable to meet the power and fresh water requirements in the Arabian Gulf states, while also being cost-effective.

Similarly, Masanori Tashimo and Kazuaki Matsui (2008) conducted an analysis on the technical and institutional aspects of utilizing atomic energy to fulfill the increasing energy demand in Asian countries.

The text emphasizes the significance of atomic power in meeting global energy demand, particularly due to its cost-effectiveness compared to renewable energy sources. Journal papers highlight the current and future use of nuclear energy for power generation and desalination. In Abu Dhabi, U.A.E., a quad-reactor nuclear power plant is being constructed and operated to not only generate emission-free electricity but also reduce reliance on oil and natural gas.

Definition of a nuclear reactor

A nuclear reactor uses radioactive decay or fission to convert atomic energy into heat. Fission involves breaking down the nucleus of a heavy atom into smaller parts, releasing free neutrons as shown in Figure 1.

When an atomic nucleus, like Uranium-235, Plutonium-239, or Plutonium-241, absorbs a neutron in fission, it undergoes fission as well. This results in the original heavy nucleus breaking down into lighter nuclei and releasing kinetic energy, gamma radiation, and free neutrons. These byproducts are known as fission products and the entire process is called nuclear chain reaction. The rate of energy output from a reactor depends on the rate of atomic fission. To control this process, neutron moderators and poisons are used to manipulate the fraction of neutrons that contribute to the chain reaction. Neutron moderators slow down fast neutrons and convert them

into thermal neutrons capable of sustaining chain reactions involving Uranium-235.

Around 75% of nuclear reactors worldwide utilize regular water as the neutron moderator.

Aside from moderators, an additional cooling substance known as an atomic reactor coolant is circulated through the reactor core to counterbalance the generated heat. The coolant can exist as a gas, liquid metal, or molten salt. This procedure draws out the heat from the reactor and employs it to produce steam. In theory, an atomic reactor generates heat that is roughly a million times more powerful than what coal produces. This immense heat results from converting kinetic energy produced by fission products into thermal energy during collisions of atomic atoms.

During the atomic fission procedure, heat is generated through gamma and radioactive beams, which are absorbed by the reactor nucleus. To decrease the speed of neutrons, thermic neutrons are employed in these reactors. This is accomplished by using specific neutron moderator materials that reduce their kinetic energy until it matches the average kinetic energy of surrounding atoms. This process is technically referred to as neutron thermalization.

Thermic neutrons have a greater likelihood of inducing fission in Uranium-235, Plutonium-239, and Plutonium-241 nuclei compared to faster neutrons initially produced from fission. However, they have a relatively lower chance of being captured by Uranium-238. As a result, low-enriched U or even natural U fuel can be utilized.

In these reactors, Uranium and Pu function as fuel while water serves as both a moderator and coolant. There are two classifications for these reactors: Light Water reactors and Boiled Water reactors.

Nuclear Fusion Reactors involve the fusion of two lighter nuclei to create a heavier nucleus, leading to energy release and plasma formation.

It is important to understand that nuclear fusion drives stars, such as the Sun, and supplies the essential energy for life on Earth and its climate. At present, research endeavors concentrate on attaining controlled fusion power by utilizing hydrogen isotopes like heavy hydrogen (hydrogen-2), akin to the heavy water employed in fission reactors, along with tritium (hydrogen-3).

However, we are not discussing items on this subject because H, as an atomic fuel, is not integrated into atomic applications on a commercial scale. An atomic fuel cycle is a comprehensive series of events from the initial primary energy to the final productive output. This is done to primarily assess the total costs, environmental, and social impacts of the energy system. The cycle is divided into two types.

The U.A.E has a goal of diversifying its power generation sources by incorporating atomic energy in order to reduce heavy reliance on Oil and Natural gas for revenue and electricity. This transition will also contribute to decreasing the country's carbon footprint. Currently, the UAE has a net capacity of generating electric power of approximately 6000 - 7000 MW, utilizing both traditional (fossil fuel, coal, etc.) and alternative (solar, wind, etc.) resources. The completion of the mega atomic power station project is divided into three stages as illustrated in Table 1. It is expected that this project will generate around 25% of U.A.E's electricity production (5000 MW). According to government policies, there is an expectation that this percentage will increase over time. The estimated cost allocated for this initiative amounts to $40 billion.

In August 2009, the BOT (Buy, Operate, Transfer) contract award for Emirates Nuclear Energy Co-operation (ENEC) was delayed without short-listing

bidders. The contract award date will depend on dialogues with three command groups. ENEC was expected to shortlist two command groups out of three in August 2009 (with a previous deadline of July 27, 2009). However, they declined to shortlist two bidders due to similar offers submitted.

Discussions

Under subdivision 6.4, the highlighted rows in blue mark the commissioning stages (refer to Table 1) of the power station.

The row highlighted in green indicates the break-even point, which is when the cumulative hard currency flow becomes positive. Therefore, the period from the start of commissioning (2017) until the green highlighted point (2029) is known as the Pay-back period. The years 2047 and 2048 mark the end of the atomic reactor's lifespan and its subsequent decommissioning. The cumulative hard currency flow in 2048 represents the profit earned from the project.

The Net Present Value (NPV) for the sub-sub-sub division confirms that the project is acceptable and profitable, as the NPV is greater than zero. Comparing the payback period of the atomic power station to that of renewable energy, as shown in Figure 16 under the sub-section, and considering a fixed area of land and capital, atomic power generation outperforms wind power and other renewable energy sources due to its higher ratio of power output to occupied space and capital.

Decisions

Based on the feasibility analysis, atomic power generation is superior to competitors from renewable energy sources due to its significant power production capacity.