Nuclear power unnecessary for climate protection: There are more cost-efficient alternatives

Research output: Journal contributionsJournal articlesResearch

Authors

  • Claudia Kemfert
  • Thorsten Burandt
  • Karlo Hainsch
  • Konstantin Löffler
  • Pao-Yu Oei
  • Christian von Hirschhausen
The world needs to continue working to protect the climate-this is generally undisputed. However, there is no agreement on which technologies should be used to decarbonize the energy sector. Many international scenarios still assume a relevant role for nuclear power in the future. However, a study by the German Institute for Economic Research shows that the Paris climate protection target- limiting global warming to below two degrees-can be achieved inexpensively without nuclear power. The results of a global energy system model indicate that no new nuclear power plants have to be built in order to meet the global climate target. It would be cheaper to use a combination of renewable energy and energy storage systems.
Original languageEnglish
JournalDIW Economic Bulletin
Volume7
Issue number48
Pages (from-to)498-506
Number of pages9
ISSN2192-7219
Publication statusPublished - 2017
Externally publishedYes

    Research areas

  • Economics - energy system model, nuclear power, climate policy, renewable energy, decarbonization

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