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Nuclear energy and waste production (ENER 013) - Assessment DRAFT created Aug 2011: The amount of high level nuclear waste from nuclear electricity production continues to accumulate. In 2008, 44,102 tonnes of heavy metals contained in high level nuclear waste was in storage, up 34.1% since 2006. The annual quantity of spent fuel was approximately 2,328 [1] tonnes of heavy metals in 2008, relatively stable since 1990. On the other hand, the amount of electricity produced from nuclear power increased by 38.4% over the same period reference to the relative ENER indicator. This partial decoupling between electricity production and generation of radioactive waste can be explained by the fact that fuel rods are replaced gradually as well as by recent improvements in fuel burnup, plant efficiency and increased plant availability [1] Estimates are provisional and are based on NEA (2009) - Nuclear Energy Data 2009
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Nuclear energy and waste production
Nuclear energy and waste production (ENER 013) - Assessment published Apr 2012: The amount of high level nuclear waste from nuclear electricity production continues to accumulate. In 2009, 34,824 tonnes of heavy metals contained in high level nuclear waste was in storage, up 4.7% since 2008. The annual quantity of spent fuel was approximately 1,828 tonnes of heavy metals in 2009. However, there is a decreasing trend in the annual quantity of spent fuel arisings since 1990. On the other hand, the amount of electricity produced from nuclear power has increased by 12.5% over the period 1990 to 2009 (see ENER27). This decoupling between electricity production and generation of radioactive waste can be explained by the fact that fuel rods are replaced gradually as well as by improvements in fuel burnup and plant efficiency [1] . [1] Energy efficiency is calculated using an efficiney coefficient of 33% for all reactors (the efficiency of a particular reactor type – CANDU) since all reactors types are slightly different. However overtime there is a trend towards more efficient reactors in Europe, such as those with breeder reactors/fuel enrichment. However, once a reactor is built, the efficiency assumed is fixed at 33%.
Located in Data and maps › Indicators › Nuclear energy and waste production
Ozone and particulates most serious air quality problems in Europe: Air quality in Europe has improved between 1990 and 2009, as emissions of most pollutants have fallen, according to a new report from the European Environment Agency (EEA). But there is still a lot of room for improvement, as many EU countries are expected to exceed the emissions ceilings in 2010 for at least one pollutant. In addition, concentration levels of ground-level ozone and particulate matter have remained stable over recent years despite efforts to improve air quality.
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