Nuclear power in ItalyNuclear power in Italy is a controversial topic. Italy started to produce nuclear energy in the early 1960s, but all plants were closed by 1990 following the 1987 referendum. As of 2023, Italy is one of only three countries, along with Lithuania and Germany, that completely phased out nuclear power for electricity generation after having operational reactors. An attempt to change the decision was made in 2008 by the government (see also nuclear power debate), which called the nuclear power phase-out a "terrible mistake, the cost of which totalled over €50 billion".
Nuclear power proposed as renewable energyWhether nuclear power should be considered a form of renewable energy is an ongoing subject of debate. Statutory definitions of renewable energy usually exclude many present nuclear energy technologies, with the notable exception of the state of Utah. Dictionary-sourced definitions of renewable energy technologies often omit or explicitly exclude mention of nuclear energy sources, with an exception made for the natural nuclear decay heat generated within the Earth.
Mouvement antinucléairethumb|« Nucléaire ? Non merci ! », Autocollant de 1975 contre l'énergie nucléaire. Le mouvement antinucléaire ou lobby antinucléaire désigne l'ensemble des personnes et organisations (associations, syndicats, partis politiques) qui s'opposent de façon générale (philosophiquement, idéologiquement ou politiquement) à l'utilisation civile ou militaire de l'énergie nucléaire sous quelque forme que ce soit. C'est donc par définition un lobby.
RadiophobiaRadiophobia is a fear of ionizing radiation. Examples include health patients refusing X-rays because they believe the radiation will kill them, such as Steve Jobs and Bob Marley who both died after refusing radiation treatment for their cancer. Given that overdoses of radiation are harmful, even deadly (i.e. radiation-induced cancer, and acute radiation syndrome) it is reasonable to fear high doses of radiation. The term is also used to describe the opposition to the use of nuclear technology (i.e.
Vulnerability of nuclear plants to attackThe vulnerability of nuclear plants to deliberate attack is of concern in the area of nuclear safety and security. Nuclear power plants, civilian research reactors, certain naval fuel facilities, uranium enrichment plants, fuel fabrication plants, and even potentially uranium mines are vulnerable to attacks which could lead to widespread radioactive contamination. The attack threat is of several general types: commando-like ground-based attacks on equipment which if disabled could lead to a reactor core meltdown or widespread dispersal of radioactivity; external attacks such as an aircraft crash into a reactor complex, or cyber attacks.
Nuclear renaissanceSince about 2001 the term nuclear renaissance has been used to refer to a possible nuclear power industry revival, driven by rising fossil fuel prices and new concerns about meeting greenhouse gas emission limits. In the 2009 World Energy Outlook, the International Energy Agency stated that: A nuclear renaissance is possible but cannot occur overnight. Nuclear projects face significant hurdles, including extended construction periods and related risks, long licensing processes and manpower shortages, plus long‐standing issues related to waste disposal, proliferation and local opposition.
EnergiewendeThe Energiewende (ʔɛnɐˈɡiːˌvɛndə) is the ongoing transition by Germany to a low carbon, environmentally sound, reliable, and affordable energy supply. The new system intends to rely heavily on renewable energy (particularly wind, photovoltaics, and hydroelectricity), energy efficiency, and energy demand management. The last nuclear power plants were shut down in 2023; all existing coal-fired generation will be retired by 2038.
Accident nucléaire de FukushimaL'accident nucléaire de Fukushima, aussi appelé catastrophe nucléaire de Fukushima, est un accident industriel majeur survenu au Japon à la suite du tsunami du . Le séisme originel, d'une , soulève une vague qui atteint de haut sur certaines parties de la côte orientale japonaise et qui se répand jusqu'à dix kilomètres à l'intérieur des terres, faisant plus de par noyade.
Sûreté nucléaireLa sûreté nucléaire est l'ensemble des activités qui assurent le maintien de l'intégrité des mécanismes, processus, outils ou instruments mettant en œuvre de la matière radioactive, permettant de garantir l'absence d'effets dommageables sur les populations et l'environnement. Elle concerne en premier lieu l'industrie nucléaire. La sûreté nucléaire est distincte de la sécurité nucléaire, qui est l'ensemble des mesures relatives à la protection des matières nucléaires et autres sources radioactives, de leurs installations et de leur transport contre des actes malveillants.
Extraction de l'uraniumL’extraction de l'uranium est un processus minier allant de la prospection initiale au produit final, le « yellowcake ». C'est la première étape du cycle du combustible nucléaire, visant essentiellement à fournir le combustible des réacteurs nucléaires via les opérations successives suivantes : la prospection de nouveaux gisements ; la préparation d'un site pour l'exploitation d'un gisement (autorisations, conception et installation des équipements, construction éventuelle des ouvrages d'accès) ; l'extraction du minerai, seul ou en coextraction avec de l'or, du cuivre, du phosphate.
