The Rebirth of Nuclear Energy

Abstract

This volume is part of a comprehensive two-volume set presenting a multi-dimensional framework and roadmap for integrating advanced nuclear energy into the 21st-century global energy transition. Written for policy makers, utility decision makers, engineers, and environmental strategists, The Rebirth of Nuclear Energy offers both the scientific grounding and strategic insight necessary to evaluate nuclear power's role in meeting urgent demands for carbon-free energy.

Volume 1 provides the essential context that nuclear energy plays in meeting electrical energy demands: from the origins of nuclear power and its use for electric power generation to the considerations of reactor safety, licensing, changes in the fuel cycle, and proliferation concerns—all framed within moral and pragmatic considerations. Volume 2 advances the discussion by confronting the twin crises of climate change and energy equity, offering a detailed analysis of the technical, regulatory, and geopolitical obstacles confronting the implementation of clean energy solutions. Together, the volumes challenge popular myths and provide an interdisciplinary guide to energy policy that balances both environmental preservation and economic prosperity.

Volume 1 lays the foundation for understanding nuclear power as a critical part of the carbon-free energy solution to the mounting global warming crisis. Further, this volume explores the origins and evolution of nuclear technology, the public's perception of radiation risks, and the complex economics, regulations, and moral considerations involved in modern energy planning. It presents the science of nuclear energy in accessible terms and contrasts it with competing energy sources, shedding light on the societal costs, regulatory hurdles, and misconceptions that have shaped energy decisions for decades.

Readers will come away with a comprehensive understanding of the nuclear fuel cycle, the pros and cons of current and next-generation reactor designs, and the intricate relationship between nuclear energy and weapons proliferation. Volume 1 uniquely integrates future energy decision making against the practical and ethical dimensions of energy choices--distinguishing it from other advocacy-focused nuclear energy books. It sets the stage for Volume 2's deeper dive into climate science, energy policy strategies, and technological pathways to decarbonization.

Volume 2 (available separately) expands the assessment of nuclear energy by placing it in context within the global response to climate change and the world's rising energy demands. Volume 2 is essential reading for insights into the interconnected challenges of greenhouse gas emissions, grid reliability, rare earth material supply chains, and energy equity. It provides an in-depth technical and geopolitical context on the long-term risks of global warming, accompanied by a practical evaluation framework for energy system planning.

Driven by a strong demand for reliable 24/7 electric power, nuclear energy has gained renewed interest from data center providers, Big Tech, US DOE, and utilities. Volume 1 includes an assessment of the advanced reactors that are being offered to support these users. It describes the advantages and challenges with the Generation III reactors (e.g., AP-1000), the various small modular reactors (SMRs), the micro modular reactors (MMRs), and the exotic Generation IV reactors (e.g., molten salt cooled reactors, high temperature gas cooled reactors (HTGRs), and sodium cooled fast reactors). The advantages of these recent offerings are compared against each other and their viability for commercial deployment assessed.

Together, the Two Volume Set (each Volume available separately) stands apart for its depth, objectivity, and scope—combining decades of engineering expertise with timely analysis of today's global energy realities. Whether you are shaping national policy or seeking a deeper understanding of climate-resilient infrastructure, this set offers a definitive reference.

About the Author

Dr. Burns is a nuclear engineer with more than five decades of experience focused on enhancing the safety and performance of commercial nuclear power. A graduate of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute with BS, MS, and PhD degrees in nuclear engineering, he began his career designing naval reactors for the U.S. Navy under Admiral Rickover. He later became a leading consultant in risk-informed safety practices, serving as principal investigator of the first commercial Boiling Water Reactor (BWR) Probabilistic Risk Assessment (PRA) at the Limerick Generating Station.

Dr. Burns helped reshape emergency procedures for the BWR Owner's Group, integrating insights from severe accident analyses to guide operator actions. His work also contributed to the development of PRA review criteria later adopted by ASME and used across the U.S. nuclear industry. Internationally, he has reviewed reactor safety in Europe and Japan, supported PRA advancements through EPRI, and consulted for major utilities such as Exelon, First Energy, and Yankee Atomic.

In this book, Dr. Burns applies his technical and policy experience to assess nuclear energy's potential role in mitigating climate change and supporting a resilient global energy future.