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Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy in Less Industrialized Countries: Challenges, Opportunities, and Acceptance

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Listed:
  • Ricardo Raineri

    (Departamento de Ingeniería Industrial y de Sistemas, Escuela de Ingeniería, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile, Santiago 8320165, Chile)

  • Jeffrey Binder

    (Boston Government Services, LLC, Washington, DC 20024, USA
    Associated Universities, Inc., Vienna, VA 22180, USA
    Current address: NANO Nuclear Energy Inc., New York, NY 10018, USA.
    Current address: LIS Technologies, Inc., New York, NY 10018, USA.)

  • Adam Cohen

    (Associated Universities, Inc., Vienna, VA 22180, USA)

  • Antonio Muller

    (Associação Brasileira de Energia Nuclear (ABEN), Rio de Janeiro 20091-906, Brazil
    AEM Capital, Rio de Janeiro 20020-906, Brazil)

Abstract

This paper introduces a holistic framework to assist less industrialized countries in adopting nuclear energy (NE) for peaceful purposes considering the challenges and opportunities this entails. It underscores the pressing need for sustainable and secure energy solutions, proposing NE as a viable option. The study aims to delve into the technical, social, economic, regulatory, and policy aspects of NE’s development and its broader applications beyond conventional power generation, such as industrial processes, medical applications, agricultural advancements, and mining activities, explicitly targeting less industrialized regions. Employing a systematic review of existing practices, the paper identifies and examines barriers to NE adoption alongside strategies to mitigate these issues. Findings suggest that NE can play a pivotal role in fostering economic growth and scientific progress, potentially sparking the emergence of new industries within these countries. However, significant obstacles—namely governance, public acceptance, safety, security, development of expertise, and securing financing—pose considerable challenges. The paper concludes that a strategic and well-coordinated deployment of NE is essential for driving socio-economic growth and environmental sustainability in less industrialized countries. It emphasizes the necessity for comprehensive planning and international collaboration to fully unlock NE’s potential, advocating for a multifaceted approach to overcome the identified hurdles.

Suggested Citation

  • Ricardo Raineri & Jeffrey Binder & Adam Cohen & Antonio Muller, 2025. "Peaceful Uses of Nuclear Energy in Less Industrialized Countries: Challenges, Opportunities, and Acceptance," Energies, MDPI, vol. 18(4), pages 1-32, February.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jeners:v:18:y:2025:i:4:p:858-:d:1589398
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    References listed on IDEAS

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    1. Raineri, R. & Rios, S. & Schiele, D., 2006. "Technical and economic aspects of ancillary services markets in the electric power industry: an international comparison," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 34(13), pages 1540-1555, September.
    2. Percebois, Jacques, 2003. "The peaceful uses of nuclear energy: technologies of the front and back-ends of the fuel cycle," Energy Policy, Elsevier, vol. 31(2), pages 101-108, January.
    3. Venizelos Venizelou & Andreas Poullikkas, 2024. "Comprehensive Overview of Recent Research and Industrial Advancements in Nuclear Hydrogen Production," Energies, MDPI, vol. 17(12), pages 1-23, June.
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