Advancements and Challenges in Nuclear Energy: Pathways for a Sustainable Future

Abstract

Nuclear energy contributes approximately 10% of global electricity and is a key low-carbon energy source with an average capacity factor exceeding 80%, significantly higher than most renewable sources. This study evaluates nuclear energy technologies, including fission, fusion, radioactive decay, and neutron capture, focusing on their efficiency, applications, and challenges. Nuclear fission remains the dominant process, producing over 2,500 TWh annually, yet faces challenges such as 300,000 metric tons of accumulated high-level radioactive waste and aging reactor infrastructure. In contrast, nuclear fusion, demonstrated at 150 million degrees Celsius in ITER, promises near-limitless clean energy but remains commercially unviable due to technological and economic constraints. Radioactive decay, with an average power density of 4–6 W/kg in radioisotope thermoelectric generators, supports space missions and remote applications. Neutron capture, crucial in breeder reactors, enhances fuel sustainability by converting U-238 into Pu-239, potentially increasing fuel efficiency by over 60%. The study underscores the need for advanced reactor designs, including small modular reactors (SMRs) with 300 MW or less capacity, improved waste management, and enhanced international cooperation to overcome technical and policy-related barriers. Investing in these advancements will be pivotal for achieving energy security and meeting global decarbonization goals