Long-term nuclear knowledge management (NKM) of innovative nuclear energy systems (INES) : A case study of the Japan Atomic Energy Research Institute (JAERI)

Abstract Within JAERI, funds invested in a 45-year study of LWR totaled 4.2b$ for research and 3.4b$ (34,718 man years) for personnel. The benefits to taxpayers from this JAERI work were estimated to be about 6.3b$, resulting in a favorable cost–benefit ratio of 1.5 (6.3/4.2). JAERI is a national research institute and this figure may be regarded as sufficiently high, and many high risk and complex tasks were completed successfully. Funds invested in the 32-year study of HTGR were 1.5b$ for R&D and 0.3b$ (2966 man years) for personnel. Commercialized HTGR will result in a cost reduction of electricity during power generation. Retail cost is 0.36b$/year and the share of JAERI (MCP) is 0.018b$/year. Funds invested in the 32-year study of FR were 5.4b$ for R&D and 0.6b$ (6331 man years) for personnel. Estimate is that after commercialization in 2050, a FR will generate revenue from electricity as high as 1687b$ during the period 2050–2100, or 34b$/year – which is greater than that of LWR. However, there is substantial uncertainty in these estimates. To achieve long-term INES, it is necessary to develop the sustainable scenarios and the long-term robust NKM, as shown in the present study.