What is Generation IV?
Today there are 441 nuclear power reactors in operation in 31 countries around the world. Generating electricity for nearly 1 billion people, they account for approximately 17 percent of worldwide electricity generation and provide half or more of the electricity in a number of industrialized countries. Another 32 are presently under construction overseas. Nuclear power has an excellent operating record and generates electricity in a reliable, environmentally safe, and affordable manner without emitting noxious gases into the atmosphere.
The Evolution of Nuclear Power
Concerns over energy resource availability, climate change, air quality, and energy security suggest an important role for nuclear power in future energy supplies. While the current Generation II and III nuclear power plant designs provide a secure and low-cost electricity supply in many markets, further advances in nuclear energy system design can broaden the opportunities for the use of nuclear energy. To explore these opportunities, the U.S. Department of Energy's Office of Nuclear Energy, Science and Technology has engaged governments, industry, and the research community worldwide in a wide ranging discussion on the development of next generation nuclear energy systems known as "Generation IV".
