Nuclear energy
To complement developing technologies, UQ researchers are conducting underlying economic, social and environmental research to ensure an energy future that is not just profitable, but also equitable and environmentally responsible.
Australia has a small world class reactor in the suburbs of Sydney that is used for producing medical isotopes and conducting scientific experiments. After the research for the present study was complete, but before publication, the Australian Government announced in partnership with Britain and the United States of America that it intends to procure nuclear-propelled (but not nuclear armed) submarines. However, Australia has never had a nuclear reactor for generating electricity or providing other civilian energy services.
Nuclear energy concept study
The concept study, by Professor Stephen Wilson, aims to answer the question What would be required for nuclear plants to be operating in Australia from the 2030s?
We are not promoting or opposing nuclear energy. The study answers a research question as factually as possible with the best available information. The research question does not ask whether Australia should deploy nuclear energy (that would be political or policy advocacy) or whether Australia will deploy nuclear energy (that would be forecasting or predicting the future).
We encourage readers to read the foreword to the study by the Chancellor.
Download the nuclear energy study (PDF, 9.5 MB)
If you have questions about the study, email us via stephenjwilson@uq.edu.au.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a small reactor to propel a submarine and a small modular reactor for land-based energy generation?
The basic principles of the technology are the same: American and British designs of nuclear powered submarines use pressurised water reactors (PWRs) as do the majority of existing land-based nuclear power plants and a number of proposed small modular reactor (SMR) designs, including the NuScale design shown as the example technology in the preliminary concept study report. The details differ according to the needs of the different applications.
The submarine reactors operate in a mobile vessel in a marine environment under defence sector performance requirements, with crew living in close proximity for months at a time. Details of the design and specifications of submarine reactors are confidential. The reactors are sealed units that operate for the full service life of the vessel (25 to 33 years) without ever needing to be refuelled, which requires more highly enriched uranium
Reactors in civilian energy plants operate in a fixed position on land. Proximity to the reactor is more easily managed on land than in the close confines of a submarine. Far greater details and information on the design and specifications of civilian plants are publicly available through transparent regulatory processes. Civilian reactors operate on low enriched uranium, and are typically refuelled about every 18 months.
Why does the report talk about nuclear energy and not about renewable energy or energy efficiency?
Renewable energy is mentioned in several places:
- in the introduction under context and background
- chapter 1 on technology
- chapter 3 on energy governance
- chapter 6 on plant siting
- chapter 7 on economics
- chapter 8 on financing
- in a number of the references cited.
In-depth consideration of renewable energy falls under other research questions. UQ is a leader in many aspects of renewable energy research which are under active study in various engineering and other schools at the UQ. UQ has also invested substantial capital in renewable energy projects under the ‘living laboratory’ philosophy.
Stephen Wilson is also a supervisor on a PhD study looking at the system cost economics of integrating renewable energy in a grid such as Australia’s National Electricity Market and also on a PhD study on the role of frontline workers in overcoming barriers to industrial energy efficiency.