Nuclear Power Generation
Description
Companies in this industry operate nuclear power generation plants that provide electricity to transmission and distribution systems. Major companies include US utilities Entergy, Exelon, and STP Nuclear, as well as Électricité de France and Orano (both based in France).
Some 450 nuclear power reactors supply about 10% of the world's electricity. More than 50 countries use nuclear energy in about 220 research reactors. The US is the top producer, followed by China, France, Russia, South Korea, and Canada, according to the World Nuclear Association.
The US nuclear power generation industry includes about 180 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $30 billion.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Demand is driven by commercial, government, and residential needs for electricity, which are influenced by economic conditions and population growth. The profitability of individual companies depends on managing costs related to regulations and fuel. Large companies have economies of scale in purchasing and administration. Smaller companies can compete effectively by serving areas with high demand. The US industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for almost all the revenue.
Nuclear plants compete with other power sources. Fossil-fueled plants, powered by coal and gas, dominate the market. Growing concerns over environmental and geopolitical issues push many new developments toward renewable sources such as wind and solar power plants. Government incentive programs also encourage development of renewable power generation facilities.
In about 15 states, retail electricity markets have been fully or partly deregulated to encourage competition. In deregulated markets, ownership of generating plants is typically separated from ownership of transmission and distribution facilities, and the owners of local distribution lines make their lines available to competitors. Deregulation efforts slowed in the 1990s due to concerns that restructuring caused electricity rates to rise. Many local electricity generators are still owned by utility holding companies that also own power distribution lines, wholesale transmission lines, and wholesale power trading companies.
PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Construction of nuclear power plants is expensive, but facilities are relatively cheap to operate once running. Waste disposal and decommissioning activities must be accounted for in operational costs.
Like traditional coal-burning plants, nuclear reactors use pressurized steam to drive a turbine-powered generator. Nuclear generators use nuclear fission (the energy released when one atom splits into two) to heat the water into steam. Uranium-235 (U-235), an isotope of the radioactive element uranium, is the primary fuel used to induce fission. U-235 must be enriched before it can be used at reactors. Fuel requirements at nuclear facilities are low compared to fossil-fueled plants.
Nuclear plants consist of the reactor, which contains fuel rods that heat water and control rods that prevent overheating, as well as coolant (usually water, but sometimes gas or liquid metal). Other plant elements include the containment dome (housing the reactor), which is made of concrete and steel and acts as a radiation shield, as well as the cooling tower, control room, and security perimeter. The US nuclear industry purchased about 40 million pounds of uranium in 2022. The US sources its uranium mainly from Kazakhstan (25%), Canada (27%), Russia (12%), and Australia (9%), according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Some 450 nuclear power reactors supply about 10% of the world's electricity. More than 50 countries use nuclear energy in about 220 research reactors. The US is the top producer, followed by China, France, Russia, South Korea, and Canada, according to the World Nuclear Association.
The US nuclear power generation industry includes about 180 establishments (single-location companies and units of multi-location companies) with combined annual revenue of about $30 billion.
COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE
Demand is driven by commercial, government, and residential needs for electricity, which are influenced by economic conditions and population growth. The profitability of individual companies depends on managing costs related to regulations and fuel. Large companies have economies of scale in purchasing and administration. Smaller companies can compete effectively by serving areas with high demand. The US industry is highly concentrated: the 50 largest companies account for almost all the revenue.
Nuclear plants compete with other power sources. Fossil-fueled plants, powered by coal and gas, dominate the market. Growing concerns over environmental and geopolitical issues push many new developments toward renewable sources such as wind and solar power plants. Government incentive programs also encourage development of renewable power generation facilities.
In about 15 states, retail electricity markets have been fully or partly deregulated to encourage competition. In deregulated markets, ownership of generating plants is typically separated from ownership of transmission and distribution facilities, and the owners of local distribution lines make their lines available to competitors. Deregulation efforts slowed in the 1990s due to concerns that restructuring caused electricity rates to rise. Many local electricity generators are still owned by utility holding companies that also own power distribution lines, wholesale transmission lines, and wholesale power trading companies.
PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY
Construction of nuclear power plants is expensive, but facilities are relatively cheap to operate once running. Waste disposal and decommissioning activities must be accounted for in operational costs.
Like traditional coal-burning plants, nuclear reactors use pressurized steam to drive a turbine-powered generator. Nuclear generators use nuclear fission (the energy released when one atom splits into two) to heat the water into steam. Uranium-235 (U-235), an isotope of the radioactive element uranium, is the primary fuel used to induce fission. U-235 must be enriched before it can be used at reactors. Fuel requirements at nuclear facilities are low compared to fossil-fueled plants.
Nuclear plants consist of the reactor, which contains fuel rods that heat water and control rods that prevent overheating, as well as coolant (usually water, but sometimes gas or liquid metal). Other plant elements include the containment dome (housing the reactor), which is made of concrete and steel and acts as a radiation shield, as well as the cooling tower, control room, and security perimeter. The US nuclear industry purchased about 40 million pounds of uranium in 2022. The US sources its uranium mainly from Kazakhstan (25%), Canada (27%), Russia (12%), and Australia (9%), according to the US Energy Information Administration (EIA).
Table of Contents
- Industry Overview
- Quarterly Industry Update
- Business Challenges
- Business Trends
- Industry Opportunities
- Call Preparation Questions
- Financial Information
- Industry Forecast
- Web Links and Acronyms
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