The New Nuclear Power A Journey through the Future of Energy

The book explores the future of nuclear power, presenting it as a critical component in addressing the global climate crisis and achieving sustainable decarbonization. Written by two physicists, the text argues that nuclear power, particularly fourth-generation reactors, offers a safe, clean, and economically viable energy solution. The authors trace the evolution of nuclear technology, highlighting significant advances in small modular reactors and nuclear batteries. Modern nuclear technologies are fundamentally different from previous generations, with improved safety features, reduced waste, and greater efficiency. Innovations include lead-cooled fast reactors that can use existing nuclear waste as fuel, small modular reactors designed for local power generation, and nuclear batteries with decades-long lifetimes for multiple applications. Looking ahead, the text envisions a world in which nuclear power is integrated into diverse energy portfolios. It presents a hopeful vision of technological innovation that can help humanity overcome current environmental and energy obstacles, transforming nuclear power from a controversial technology to a key solution for a sustainable future.

graduated in Physics in 1981 and received his Ph.D. in 1987. Then he joined CERN and, after a stint at the Italian National Institute for Nuclear Physics, he became Director of the High Energy Physics Laboratory at the University of Bern in 2006. There he discovered his passion for training young researchers and became involved in the popularization of science. Author of more than 1500 scientific publications, in 2015 he was awarded the Breakthrough Prize for Physics, together with other colleagues active in neutrino physics, for the studies that led to the discovery of neutrino oscillations. is the Chief Executive Officer of newcleo. A nuclear physicist and successful entrepreneur, Stefano started his career working for 10 years with Nobel laureate Carlo Rubbia at CERN and CRS4, in the field of Accelerator Driven Systems and nuclear waste transmutation. In 2002, he founded Advanced Accelerator Applications, listed on the NASDAQ until its acquisition by Novartis for $3.9 billion. He is the chairman of various organizations, and the founder of Elysia Capital, a player in the development of projects in the fields of innovation, social impact, well-being, education, art and culture.

Foreword 1 Oil platform, off the Gulf of Mexico Energy sources and global warming The cause of the problem The solution to the problem 2 Nuclear power plant in the US Southwest Without prejudice Atomic nuclei, cells and DNA Two important lessons History teaches It works like this Fast reactors 3 CERN Geneva, Switzerland A bit of atomic physics Einstein's petrol Nuclear billiards Paste the cores 4 City of London, United Kingdom For sustainable decarbonisation Money and wallets 5 Catamaran Elssa, Malacca Strait Renewables: green and other colours Earth, wind and fire 6 ENEA-NewCo research centre in Brasimone, Tuscan-Emilian Apennines The fourth generation The state of the art 7 Paris, France (August 2050) A vehicle for democracy Visions of a possible future Small batteries Large batteries Radiation against cancer