Nuclear energy consumption: Does it affect GDP?

The April issue of Eye on Innovation delved into the topic of nuclear energy, especially predictions for its global future after Japan's nuclear disaster. Researching Dialog's scientific and technical literature further, however, we identify an interesting factor important to consider when contemplating nuclear as a viable energy source.

Does nuclear energy consumption have effects on a country's GDP? Well, that depends. In fact, an increase or decrease in nuclear energy consumption can raise or lower the GDP depending on the country. Extended studies of both developed and developing nations suggest some trends.

• In Spain, the United Kingdom and the United States, increases in nuclear energy consumption caused increases in economic growth implying that conservation measures taken that reduce nuclear energy consumption may negatively affect economic growth.
• In France, Japan, the Netherlands and Switzerland increases in nuclear energy consumption caused decreases in economic growth, suggesting that energy conservation measures taken that reduce nuclear energy consumption may help to lower the adverse effects of nuclear energy consumption on economic growth.
• In Canada and Sweden energy conservation measures affecting nuclear energy consumption may not harm economic growth.
• In Argentina and Germany no causality between nuclear energy consumption and economic growth is detected.
• In India nuclear energy consumption has a positive and a statistically significant impact on India's economic growth. Economic growth in India was found to be dependent on nuclear energy consumption where a decrease in nuclear energy consumption may lead to a decrease in real income.

Energy consumption per capita is one of the single most important factors in regards to living standards of individuals across the world. Important goals and basic principles of future energy sources include:

• reducing greenhouse gas emissions,
• minimizing the overall environmental footprint,
• safety and reliability,
• sustainability,
• economics,
• efficiency, and
• energy independence.

Nuclear energy is arguably one of the best sources for electricity generation that can meet these future needs and requirements. Even so, advances and improvements must be made for nuclear energy to be competitive in the future. The nuclear energy industry, governments and private operators must develop an approach for nuclear energy systems that minimizes high level waste inventories while at the same time maximizing fuel utilization to provide a secure energy source. Will this happen and when is anyone's guess.

Sources: Dialog scientific and technical databases including CSA Technology Research Database, PASCAL, Environmental Engineering Abstracts, Elsevier BIOBASE

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