The Rebirth of Nuclear Energy

Abstract

This is volume 2 of a comprehensive two-volume set (each sold separately) 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 2 expands the case for nuclear energy by situating it within the global response to climate change and the rising energy demands. This volume is essential reading for policy makers, regulators, and sustainability professionals seeking data-driven insight into the interconnected challenges of greenhouse gas emissions, grid reliability, rare earth material supply chains, and energy equity. It provides in-depth technical and geopolitical context on the long-term risks of global warming, alongside practical evaluation frameworks for energy system planning. Volume 2 also provides in depth analysis of the improved safety of the new era of nuclear plant designs, which have enhanced safety features based on the experience from Chernobyl and Fukushima post accident assessments

Building on Volume 1 (available separately), Volume 2 tackles the toughest questions facing energy policy today--how to manage nuclear waste, secure fissile material, and minimize the risks of proliferation--while comparing nuclear energy to intermittent renewables in terms of societal cost, infrastructure demands, and long-term viability. Through the detailed appendices covering climate modeling, grid regulation, accident case studies, and global energy politics, Volume 2 delivers a uniquely holistic assessment of nuclear energy's role in achieving a stable, equitable, and sustainable future.

Volume 2 also provides in depth analysis of the improved safety of the new era of nuclear plant designs, which have enhanced safety features based on the experience from Chernobyl and Fukushima post accident assessments.

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're 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.