Unpacking nuclear
A core part of the energy transition and of the solutions to meeting energy needs, nuclear energy is a strategic resource that is often a subject of debate. This section aims to respond to the main questions and misconceptions by presenting nuclear energy as clearly as possible. The goal is for everyone to form their own opinion.
Understanding Nuclear Energy
Nuclear fuel: the key takeaways
Discover what nuclear fuel is made of, how it’s used and the properties it offers when generating electricity.
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The nuclear fuel cycle
Uranium is utilized as a fuel source to generate nuclear energy. However, before it can be loaded into a reactor, it must undergo a transformation process comprising several stages. These stages collectively comprise the nuclear fuel cycle.
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Nuclear: no uranium shortages in prospect!
Nuclear energy in increasingly coming into favor in a world that is aware of the urgency of reducing our carbon footprint. But to meet the growing needs of nuclear power plants, do we have sufficient reserves of uranium?
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Nuclear Energy and the Climate Challenge
COP27 and COP15: the key takeaways
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Is nuclear power a green energy?
Following the recent decision of the European Commission to award nuclear power and natural gas a green label, you might be asking – what is "green energy"?
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All about greenhouse gases
Greenhouse gases are critical to the fight against global warming. While they are naturally occurring, their over-abundance related to human activity is what creates climate change.
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Nuclear Industry, an Economic Asset
SMRs / mini reactors: a boon for the nuclear sector
The new generations of nuclear reactors, such as the small modular reactors - SMR - or the so-called advanced modular reactors - AMR - will take nuclear power into a new era.
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Nuclear industry: New unexpected uses
The nuclear industry does not only generate electricity; Orano is also exploring scopes of activity in healthcare, recycling electric vehicle batteries, and stable isotopes.
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Expert voices: Women in Nuclear Industry
Three female employees with very different profiles talk about their career paths, their motivations for working at Orano
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Nuclear Medicine for the Future
Nuclear medecine against cancer
Orano Med, the medical subsidiary of Orano, is combining biotechnology and nuclear science to develop a new generation of targeted therapies against cancer using the unique properties of Lead-212.
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Expert voices - The nuclear medicine against cancer
A great opportunity to take an interest in the work of Orano Med, the Medical Sector of Orano, which is developing a new generation of targeted cancer therapy.
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Fighting cancer: history and role of nuclear medicine
Discover how nuclear medicine techniques and the use of lead-212 are enabling Orano Med to develop new cancer therapies.
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Recycling and Nuclear Waste
MOX, a fuel assembly made from recycled nuclear fuel
More than 50 years ago, France opted to recycle used nuclear fuel in order to recover nuclear material and thereby reduce the quantity of high level waste and the associated hazards.
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All about radioactive waste in France
Managing radioactive and nuclear waste is a duty of responsibility towards future generations and an area where Orano has cutting-edge expertise.
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All about used fuel processing and recycling
The recycling of used nuclear fuel is a key area of expertise for Orano and a response to today's challenges.
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There are fundamental reasons why nuclear energy is now back center stage. First of all, there is the energy crisis, against the backdrop of geopolitical upheavals that make energy sovereignty absolutely strategic. There is, of course, the fight against global warming. By helping to produce low-carbon, reliable electricity at a competitive cost, nuclear power stands out as one of the solutions for achieving carbon neutrality by 2050. On another level - and marking a point of honor in France - the nuclear industry is the third largest domestic industrial sector. The planned investments in nuclear power, particularly for the construction of new reactors, are therefore positive news for French industry and for employment.
Nevertheless, the nuclear industry remains humble. While nuclear power is once again enjoying strong support around the world and with the French public, there are still many preconceived ideas about the industry, as well as "hot-button issues" such as waste management, nuclear safety and security, and the impact of nuclear activities on the environment. We believe that educating, enlightening and answering questions about nuclear energy, in all transparency, is a prerequisite for building support. For while nuclear power can demonstrate that it is an indispensable energy resource for the future, French nuclear expertise goes far beyond energy itself, moving into unexpected fields today such as health and battery recycling!
Nuclear: acting for the climate
The need for electricity has never been greater all over the world, but at the same time it has become crucial to limit our greenhouse gas emissions by opting for low-carbon sources of energy. Nuclear energy is an important part of the answer to combat global warming!