Nuclear Energy Conference 2020

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Nuclear Power in a Time of Global Climate Change

The increasingly obvious effects of global climate change and the increasingly urgent warnings of the scientific community against potential severe impacts in the coming decades strengthen the need for public debate about various aspects of the problem. One of them is the possible role of nuclear power in reducing greenhouse gas emissions. The debate on this case is influenced by the fact that the economic and safety issues that have caused the nuclear industry to stagnate have still not been resolved.

Is nuclear power too expensive to be able to reduce greenhouse gases effectively? Can the high expenditures on new reactors block more efficient solutions? How will climate change affect the operation of nuclear power plants? Can the current energy demands be met if both nuclear power and fossil fuels are phased out?

The objective of the international conference NEC 2020 “Nuclear Power in a Time of Global Climate Change” is a detailed discussion with both international and Czech experts of exactly these issues, which are of fundamental importance for greenhouse gas emission reduction and for future prospects of nuclear power.


Conference agenda

  • 9.30 AM: Registration
  • 10.00–10.15: Opening speeches' – Stefan Kaineder, Upper Austrian Government; Karel Polanecký, Hnutí DUHA Energy Campaigner; Dalibor Stráský, Upper Austria nuclear power attorney
  • 10.15–11.00: Possible role of nuclear power in the battle with climate crisis – Georg Günsberg, freelance energy consultant, Vienna
  • 11.00–11.20: Discussion
  • 11.20–11.30: Break

Section I. Nuclear power and climate change

  • 11.30 AM – 12.00: Critically examining the carbon, cost, and safety potentials of nuclear power – Benjamin K. Sovacool, Sussex University
  • 12.00–12.30: Can we ignore risks of nuclear power under the threat of climate crisis? – David Reinberger, Vienna Ombuds-Office for Environmental Protection - City of Vienna
  • 12.30–12.50: Climate change effects and their impact on operation and safety of nuclear power plants – Oda Becker, nuclear safety expert
  • 12.50–13.15: Discussion with speakers
  • 13.15–14.00: Lunch break


Section II. Can energy supply work without both coal and nuclear power?

  • 14.00–14.30: Is it economically meaningful to limit emissions by investing in nuclear power? – Ben Wealer, TU Berlin & DIW – German Institute for Economic Research
  • 14.30–14.50: Perspective of renewable supply in Czech Republic – Martin Sedlák, program director of Modern Energy Union
  • 14.50–15.20: 100% Renewable Electricity as official Government Target in Austria for 2030 – Pathways and Possibilities – Reinhard Uhrig, Head of Campaigns of Global 2000
  • 15.20–16.00: Discussion with speakers
  • 16.00: End