RELIABLE ROLE OF NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION UNDER CO2 EMISSION CONSTRAINTS

Most decision makers in the electricity industry plan their electric power expansion program by considering only a least cost operation, even when circumstances change with differing complexities. It is necessary, however, to analyze a long-term power expansion plan from various points of view, such as environmental friendliness, benefit of a carbon reduction, and system reliability, as well as least cost operation. The objective and approach of this study is to analyze the proper role of nuclear power in a long-term expansion plan by comparing different scenarios in terms of the system cost changes, $CO_2$ emission reduction, and system reliability in relation to the Business-As-Usual (BAU). The conclusion of this paper makes it clear that the Korean government cannot but expand the nationwide nuclear power program, because an increased energy demand is inevitable and other energy resources will not provide an adequate solution from an economic and sustainability point of view. The results of this analysis will help the Korean government in its long-term resource planning of what kinds of role each electric resource can play in terms of a triangular dilemma involving economics, environmental friendliness, and a stable supply of electricity.