Title: Evaluation of nuclear knowledge management on light water reactor, high temperature gas-cooled reactor and fusion reactor: a case study of Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI)

Authors: Kazuaki Yanagisawa

Addresses: Japan Atomic Energy Agency (JAEA), 1233 Watanuki, Takasaki, Gunma, 370-1292, Japan

Abstract: Within JAERI, funds invested in a 45-year study of light-water reactors (LWRs) totalled 4.2 b$ (billion dollars) for research, including human resources of 34,718 years. The benefits to taxpayers from this JAERI work were estimated to be about 6.3 b$, resulting in a favourable cost-benefit ratio of 1.5 (6.3/4.2). Funds invested in the 32-year study of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors (HTGRs) were 1.5 b$ for R&D and 0.3 b$ (2966 years) for personnel. Commercialised HTGRs will result in a cost reduction of electricity during power generation and also of that for hydrogen energy production. Accumulating market creation of products (MCP) of JAERI from 2010 to 2050 is 0.29 b$ for the former and 1.2 b$ for the latter. The share of Fusion Reactors (FRs) is also described.

Keywords: evaluation; fusion reactors; high temperature gas-cooled reactors; innovative nuclear engineering systems; Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute; JAERI; light water reactors; nuclear knowledge management; nuclear energy; nuclear power; hydrogen energy.

DOI: 10.1504/AFP.2007.015826

Atoms for Peace: an International Journal, 2007 Vol.1 No.4, pp.320 - 335

Published online: 20 Nov 2007 *

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