NEI Nuclear Notes

The Energy Information Administration released yesterday its annual International Energy Outlook for 2007. Here are some highlights from the press release : World marketed energy consumption is projected to grow by 57 percent between 2004 and 2030. ... Coal consumption, which grows an average annual rate of 2.2 percent, is the fastest-growing energy source worldwide in the IEO2007 reference case projection, which assumes that existing laws and policies remain in effect through 2030 notwithstanding concerns related to the rising level of energy-related greenhouse gas emissions. ... Higher fossil fuel prices, energy security concerns, improved reactor designs, and environmental considerations are expected to improve prospects for nuclear power capacity in many parts of the world, and a number of countries are expected to build new nuclear power plants. World nuclear capacity is projected to rise from 368 gigawatts in 2004 to 481 gigawatts in 2030. ... In the IEO2007 reference case, whi...