In an announcement concerning the Nuclear Energy Technology Roadmap published today, the International Energy Agency declared that “nuclear energy is one of the key low-carbon energy technologies.”

As part of the IEA scenario to reach a 50% cut in energy-related CO2 emissions by 2050, the organization has proposed that nuclear energy capacity grow threefold, to 1,200 GWe, providing 24% of world electricity production in 40 years time. The IEA described this growth as “ambitious but achievable.”

The press release notes that challenges remain to this expansion, including policy, financial, and public acceptance, but “the roadmap finds that nuclear power is a mature, low-carbon technology that is ready to expand rapidly over the coming decades. The latest reactor designs, now under construction around the world, build on over 50 years of technology development. The roadmap notes that these designs will need to be fully established as reliable and competitive electricity generators over the next few years if they are to become the mainstays of nuclear expansion after 2020.”

While it is not summer solstice quiet yet, it is Global Wind Day. As part of an event designed to raise worldwide awareness of the benefits of wind energy, the American Wind Energy Association is encouraging people to learn more about this renewable energy source. More info here.

Offshore Wind Turbine

For another look at wind, this video offers a great view of the offshore, 5 megawatt wind turbine developed and built by AREVA. As part of our commitment to a portfolio of CO2-free energy solutions, AREVA recently confirmed its commitment to developing this important, renewable energy source.

“Energy Renewal”
Finally, a call to action for Americans to take responsibility for energy use and our energy future from some of the nations most prominent figures in energy; Dr. Gordon Bjorkman from the Nuclear Regulatory Commission, Mike Wallace Chairman of Unistar Nuclear Energy, Vice Admiral John Grossenbacher, Directory Idaho National Laboratory, and Ellen Vancko of the Union of Concerned Scientists.
– from energyontrial.com

“Future Demand”
The U.S. will need 25% more electricity by 2030, how? Americans plan to reduce automobile emission with electric cars, but what will power them? President of the Nuclear Energy Institute, Marv Fertel, Theodore Roosevelt IV, Pew Center for Global Climate Change, and others raise these questions for American energy future.
– from energyontrial.com

“Considering New Nuclear”
House Minority Leader Steny H. Hoyer, Stewart Brand, AREVA nuclear engineer Ben Grambeau, and Christine Todd Whitman are part of the discussion on new nuclear reactors construction for the U.S. and what it means to be a leader in nuclear innovation and construction again.
– from energyontrial.com

“Energy in the Future”
This clip features Patrick Moore, the Department of Energy Deputy Secretary Daniel Poneman, and Duke Energy CEO Jim Rogers on America’s growing energy demands and the need to meet this demand with clean energy technology, including nuclear and renewable energy.
– from energyontrial.com

We would like to highlight the “Energy on Trial” project. This is a documentary that “tackles a subject as dear and essential to us as the air we breathe and the nourishment we require. Without energy, we are doomed. But the way much of it is produced is terminally damaging to our environment, and to our health.” We are going to highlight some interesting segments from the documentary over the next few days.
– from energyontrial.com

Anne Hoskins, Senior Vice President, Public Affairs and Sustainability, Public Service Enterprise Group addresses an audience during a session on the 21st century utility

For a day and a half this week, business leaders, investors, environmentalists and thought leaders came together in Boston for the 2010 Ceres Conference. Ceres President, Mindy Lubber called the conference to order by encouraging attendees to make sustainability performance a lynchpin in defining the 21st century corporation. She emphasized that sustainability is a competitive race that needs to take place from the board room, to the copy room, to the supply chain. Following her remarks, Fisk Johnson, the fifth generation family leader of S.C. Johnson & Son Inc. appealed to the audience for disruptive progress and leadership regarding a bolder approach to sustainability. As an example, he highlighted the French leadership in the 1970s in decisively pursuing nuclear energy to protect their energy security and the subsequent investment in further research and development that has continued to strengthen the industry ever since.

From breakout sessions on, “The 21st century utility: An emerging business model for a low-carbon economy,” to “The ripple effect: Exploring financial risks along the water value chain,” the conference facilitated testimony from a diverse set of stakeholders on the topics that are at heart of today’s sustainable development challenges.

One of the ubiquitous topics among business sustainability professionals concerns systemic approaches to sustainability – the fact that the global challenges of freshwater scarcity, energy security, biodiversity, climate change, and the general decarbonization of our economies will require industry and cross-sector collaboration.

The conference provided an opportunity to meet and reconnect with environmental strategy, sustainability, and climate change policy professionals from some of AREVA’s customers, including Duke Energy, Exelon, Public Service Enterprise Group, Pacific Gas and Electric, and American Electric Power. Whether through participation in the Electric Utility Industry Sustainable Supply Chain Alliance and or using independent outreach and programs, these and many other electric utilities have recognized the importance of supply chain collaboration in effecting both impact and opportunity for the sector.

AREVA serves its customers in partnership and recognizes the outstanding opportunity to continue collaboration in the innovation and implementation of energy solutions that are economically, environmentally, and socially responsible.

“For the sake of our economy, our security, and our environment, America must develop decisive policies that will allow us not only to compete in this clean energy race, but to become the leader in providing clean energy technology to the world.”

-Energy Secretary Steven Chu speaking yesterday at the Senate Committee on Appropriations, Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development.

For our part, AREVA is already making direct economic investments to build critical clean energy infrastructure in America, including some $250 million in the development of the U.S. EPR™ reactor, AREVA Newport News, Eagle Rock Enrichment Facility, and renewable energy sources like biomass and concentrated solar.

By Laura Clise
Director of Sustainable Development and Continuous Improvement
AREVA Inc.

(blogging live from Montreux, Switzerland)

In the opening of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development meeting this week, President Bjorn Stigson talked about the world transition to sustainability. Stigson emphasized that the WBCSD vision of 9 billion people living well and within the limits of the planet in 2050 will require different mindsets, new technological and regulatory solutions.

WBCSD Vision 2050 looks at nine elements for a pathway to sustainability: people’s values, human development, economy, agriculture, forests, energy and power, buildings, mobility, and materials. These elements support change in the key areas that will close the gaps to avoid a future based on business as usual.
read more…