Prospects for nuclear energy in Brazil

Abstract

One of the main purposes of nuclear technology is to produce electricity, with the advantage of producing a lower volume of radioactive waste. The expansion of nuclear energy in the electrical system has been positive, as it is one of the types of energy that is available at any time and in the desired amount. Considered a reliable source and safe alternative to compose a country's energy matrix. In the case of Brazil, it has enough reserves of Uranium and Thorium to compose the energy matrix over many years. The increase in demand, and the need for energy from renewable sources has caused changes in the world's electric power generation. According to World Nuclear Association (WNA), 14% of the energy is generated by nuclear energy sources, and this percentage tends to increase with the construction of new plants. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the goal for nuclear energy is to provide 25% of electricity in 2050. Other technologies are applied in the nuclear area, for example nuclear medicine, in which radioactive materials are used with low doses of radiation for treatment and diagnosis of diseases, even in development are effective and safe, especially in the areas of cardiological, neurological and oncological diagnosis. Despite the knowledge acquired with the development of Brazilian nuclear projects, many are partly lost and discontinuity investments of successive governments, therefore, this work intends to study an overview of nuclear energy in Brazil in recent years and its prospects.