No abstract available

No abstract available

No abstract available

No abstract available

[en] The example of the nuclear energy development in France and in Japan demonstrates that nuclear energy has a fundamental role to play in a balanced policy of diversification of energy supply. The French nuclear programme and the fuel cycle are more particularly detailed

[en] Uranium research takes on a new lease of life as South Africa pushes ahead with a two-pronged attack on future energy needs. The recent allocation to the Department of Mineral and Energy Affairs of more than R106 million for atomic energy research indicates that South Africa's heavy commitment to nuclear spending involves not only the Koeberg power station, with its two pressurised water reactors, but also a uranium enrichment plant that is expected to be in commercial production by 1985. Other countries' expenditures on nuclear activities are also discussed

[en] This paper starts from the assumption that, for various reasons, the supply of OPEC oil required to meet a rising world energy demand will continue to be limited. Its purpose is to present a synoptic look at the various sources of energy which are alternatives to OPEC oil, with an economic commentary on the prospects for each source. A wide variety of projects are going forward for the development of non-OPEC oil, gas, coal, and nuclear power, as well as renewable energy resources. Special attention is devoted to questions of energy pricing, investment costs, and sources of finance. (author)

[en] Substantial cost overruns and schedule delays are traits of the power plant construction industry, specifically the young and controversial nuclear power plant construction industry. These cost and schedule overruns are having a significant effect on the economic feasibility of many power plants, and the future energy supply network of our country may have to be restructured in light of these overruns. A major cause of cost overruns is related to the declining rate of productivity of workers. Marjatta Strandell, an engineering and construction expert for the Pacific Power and Light Company, Portland, Oregon, reports that since 1970 craft productivity in nuclear and fossil-fuel power plant construction has been decreasing at an average annual rate of four percent. The cumulative effect of this indicates that, by 1980, the craft productivity would be a mere sixty percent of the 1970 craft productivity

[en] The author presents a cost comparison of different energy sources: nuclear energy, oil, coal, gas, etc. used to produce electricity, and provides a forecast of the proportions of these primary sources which will be used to produce electricity from 1990 to 2000. On the basis of this he recommends the increased use of heat pumps for economic electricity production. (G.T.H.)

[en] The processes by which an Australian policy on energy research and development has evolved are discussed. Levels of energy R and D activity, relative priorities and the role of governments, of the National Energy Research Development and Demonstration Council and of the AAEC are considered. It is argued that failure to consider the institutional context of energy R and D in Australia has meant that the programme is illogical and wasteful. Much of the research being supported has no prospect of being deployed for the benefit of the Australian community. From an analysis of uranium enrichment, it is concluded that there is no justification for such a large commitment of funds to the enrichment programme