Books : Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century: World Nuclear University Press

Rating: - Excellent Nuclear Primer
Ian Hore-Lacy has written a brilliant introduction to nuclear power in "Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century". The book is written for a generalist audience with an interest in nuclear energy issues. It is both comprehensible and comprehensive, a very difficult task given the complexity of the subject matter. The book is extremely well illustrated, and always provides all necessary background information before delving into deeper subjects: a firm foundation is provided for any reader regardless of their previous knowledge level about nuclear energy.

The book discusses energy demands of the future and the potential role of nuclear power in meeting those demands. The nuclear fuel cycle is fully explained from mining uranium through disposal of high level nuclear waste. Hore-Lacy's presentations argue powerfully for the use of nuclear power without overt editorialization: he lets the science speak for itself. Nuclear safety features and technological improvements in different reactor types from common Pressurized Water Reactor (PWR) and Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) designs, to very obscure lead-bismuth and the Pebble Bed Modular Reactor (PBMR) currently in development are emphasized. Safety on a global level is also a theme of the book, both in explaining the dramatic effect nuclear energy has on lowering greenhouse emissions, as well as containing nuclear material proliferation, with particular emphasis on returning nuclear weapon reactants to use in the civilian electricity production network of the US and Russia.

The book is filled with helpful charts and illustrations, as well as useful appendices and glossaries. One of the most useful references is on page 155, which shows the radioactive decay and half-lives of the uranium, thorium, and actinium series elements.

Anyone who has an interest in nuclear energy, electricity demands and production, environmental safety, or energy independence should read this book. It is an excellent guide to the nuclear industry from both a historical and technological perspective, and is an invaluable reference book.