Nuclear Reactors
The Australian Nuclear Association supports the use of:
- research reactors as a source of neutrons for research and for production of radioisotopes, and
- nuclear power plants to produce electricity and heat for industry.
The following documents provide current information on nuclear reactors and nuclear power.
Small modular reactors in the Australian context – Report by Ben Heard, published by the Minerals Council of Australia, Second Edition, 2022
Nuclear Power Reactors in the World , Reference Data Series No. 2, 2022 edition. Recent reactor data available to the IAEA. It contains summarized information as of the end of 2021 on power reactors operating, under construction and shut down as well as performance data on reactors operating in the IAEA Member States.
Nuclear Power and Secure Energy Transitions International Energy Agency Sept 2022
The Case for SMRs in Australia – Report by SMR Nuclear Technology Pty Ltd, August 2021
What would be required for nuclear energy plants to be operating in Australia from the 2030s – Report by Stephen Wilson, University of Queensland, June 2021
Projected Costs of Generating Electricity 2020 – International Energy Agency Dec 2020
Nuclear Power – a real option – Article by John Harries 10 Nov 2019
Nuscale SMR – On Track for Deployment – Presentation by Tony Irwin on 26 June 2019
Nuclear Power for Space Applications – Presentation by Mark Ho on 17 April 2019.
Climate Change – the Nuclear Solution – Presentation by Robert Parker on 26 March 2019.
Small Modular Reactors – Status and Prospects for Australia– Tony Irwin, Australian Physicist, 56 (6), Jan-Feb 2019, pp 23-26.
Links to useful websites
ANSTO: information on the 20 MW OPAL Research Reactor at Lucas Heights, NSW, as well as research projects on the use of nuclear technology in industry, materials, environment and health. ANSTO is home the OPAL nuclear research reactor, the Australian Centre for Neutron Scattering, , the Australian Synchrotron, the National Imaging Facility Research Cyclotron and the Centre for Accelerator Science.
Australasian Radiation Protection Society Inc (ARPS): ARPS is a professional society of members engaged in one or more aspects of radiation protection.
Down Under Nuclear (DUNE) was established in 2018 to explore the viability and then to pursue the development of nuclear power projects in Australia.
Information System (PRIS): a comprehensive data source on nuclear power reactors in the World. It includes reactor specification and performance history data, monthly power production and power losses data. You may need to create a free account to access some data.
Minerals Council of Australia: information on the Australian uranium mining industry
Nuclear Now Alliance Australia is a not-for-profit organisation run by a group of Australian scientists and engineers who are passionate about the benefits nuclear power but have no connection to the industry. Good source of information on why nuclear for Australia, Australian law prohibiting nuclear energy and debunking myths about nuclear energy.
World Nuclear News: daily public information on the subject of nuclear power, including background information, expert commentary and links to relevant authoritative sources. The first place to check for authoritative information on nuclear events in the news.
Nuclear for Climate (Australia) advocates for nuclear energy to address climate change.
World Nuclear Association Public Information: authoritative information on a wide range of topics related to the uranium, nuclear power and nuclear fuel cycle around the world.
Some specific pages on the WNA website are:
Basic information on nuclear energy
Uranium mining and nuclear profile for Australia
Nuclear power in the world today
Nuclear power reactors
Table of World Nuclear Power Reactors and Uranium Requirements