Christoph Pistner: Nuclear Power in Germany - A short overview, Tokyo, Japan, 23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power in Germany
A short overview
Dr. Christoph Pistner
23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power in Germany
● 1950-1960 very positive atmosphere about nuclear energy
‒ All political parties supported nuclear energy development
‒ Basically no political opposition
‒ Clear restriction to the peaceful use of nuclear energy
● 1957 first western german nuclear research reactor FRM in Munich
● 1960 first western german nuclear power reactor in Kahl (Main)
● Commercial availability of light water reactor concepts and impact of
oil crisis in the 1970s increased industrial interest in nuclear power
● 70s and 80s highest number of nuclear new built, but at the same
time increased debate about nuclear safety questions
● 1979 TMI accident in the USA
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power debate in Germany
● 1983 Green Party wins first seats in the federal parliament
● 1986 Tchernobyl accident in Ukraine enhances safety debate
● 1989 last start up of a nuclear power plant in Germany
● 1990s: Social Democrats and Green Party focus on nuclear phase
out, three major arguments
‒ Reactor safety
‒ Final disposal of nuclear waste
‒ Nuclear non-proliferation
● 1998: Coalition of SPD and Green Party win federal elections
● 14.06.2000: Agreement between SPD/Green coalition and electricity
utilities about nuclear phase out is signed
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power debate in Germany
● Christian Democrats and Liberal Party declare their resistance
Quotes on the nuclear phase out consensus of 14. Juni 2000:
Gerhard Schröder (SPD), Chancelor:
„Mit den soeben geleisteten Unterschriften haben wir uns abschließend
darauf verständigt, die Nutzung der Kernenergie geordnet und
wirtschaftlich vernünftig zu beenden.“
Jürgen Trittin (Die Grünen), Federal Environmental Minister:
„Die Regellaufzeit wird auf 32 Jahre begrenzt. Im Jahre 2020 wird aller
Voraussicht nach das letzte AKW hier vom Netz gehen.“
Klaus Lippold (CDU), Energy- and Nuclear Expert of the Opposition:
„Herr Trittin, Sie freuen sich zu früh, wir werden das, was Sie als
Kernenergieausstieg bezeichnen, wieder rückgängig machen.“
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power debate in Germany
22.04.2002: Change of §1 of the Atomic Law
● Before: promotion of research, development and use of nuclear
energy
● Now: phase out of commercial use of nuclear power
● Lifetimes are restricted by electricity production limits (corresponding
to about 32 years of operation), no fixed date
● Prohibition of new nuclear built
● Prohibition of reprocessing of spent fuel
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Estimate of reactor lifetimes according to Atomic Law
of 2002
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Restructuring of energy production system
● 95% reduction in greenhous gas
emmission in highly industrialised
countries?
● What implications?
‒ Timeline
‒ Innovation strategies
‒ Restrictions
‒ Costs
● Climate policy
‒ Longterm strategies (bis 2050)
‒ political options (bis 2030)
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Restructuring of energy production system
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power debate in Germany
● 2009 new coalition of CDU/FDP
Change of the Atomic Law in 2010:
● Lifetimes are prolonged by about 12 years on average, expressed in
additional electricity production capacities
But no change with respect to:
● §1 still requests phase out of commercial use of nuclear power
● Prohibition of new nuclear built
● Prohibition of reprocessing of spent fuel
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Estimate of reactor lifetimes according to Atomic Law
of 2010
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Nuclear Power in Germany März 2011
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015 Source: IRRS 2011

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Nuclear Power debate in Germany
● 11.03.2011: Fukushima accident happens
● 15.03.2011: 3 month moratorium for seven oldest plants
● Change of the Atomic Law with broad consensus of all political
parties
‒ Electricity production limits reduced
‒ Fixed shutdown dates for all plants, latest date 2022
‒ 8 oldest plants remain shut-down
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015

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Shutdown dates according to Atomic Law
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015 Source: IRRS 2011

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What Electricity Mix today?
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015
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Übrige Energieträger
Mineralölprodukte
Erneuerbare
Erdgas
Steinkohle
Braunkohle
Kernenergie
Stromimportsaldo
Brutto-
Inlandsstromverbrau
ch

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Imports and Exports?
Nuclear Energy in Germany│C. Pistner│Tokyo│23.10.2015
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TWh
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