Nuclear power, resilience, and energy security under a vulnerability-based approach

Abstract

Although the role of nuclear power in the energy mix is being discussed from various aspects, studies on nuclear power in the energy security narrative are still limited. In this context, the role of nuclear energy in energy security is examined from a vulnerability-based approach. First, causal linkages between various terms of energy security, including vulnerability, threat, hazard, and resilience were conceptualized. Amongst these terms, we further focused on resilience and explored it from the viewpoint of its robustness, flexibility, redundancy, diversification, adaptability, and interdependency. Finally, considering these six components of resilience, nuclear power as a part of the energy supply system was analyzed in the context of energy security. This reiterated the necessity to balance the positive effect of strengthening the resilience and the negative effect of generating hazards and threats associated with nuclear power. This study is the first to discuss pros and cons of nuclear power from the perspective of its interaction with energy system in energy security. This approach differs from existing approaches in which nuclear-specified issues are alone considered in the narrative of nuclear safety. Since energy security has become an important driver of energy policy in recent years, the developed concept of nuclear power in energy security shall act as an essential stepping stone in determining its future use.