Searching for the missing link: Options for firm zero-carbon power

Enabling net-zero solutions Mar 4, 2024

Toward harmonizing transatlantic hydrogen policies: Understanding the gaps

By Joseph Webster and Pau Ruiz Guix

Clean hydrogen is becoming a critical tool for decarbonizing hard-to-abate sectors. While the US and EU governments are supporting the growth of their respective hydrogen industries, they must identify gaps in transatlantic approaches to effectively build on each others’ efforts rather than create hinderances.
European Union Geopolitics & Energy Security
Searching for the missing link: Options for firm zero-carbon power

New Atlanticist Dec 15, 2023

The takeaway from COP28: Gas and nuclear are part of the energy transition

By Ana Palacio

The concept of a “transition” in the energy transition is too often lost: specifically, the idea that it will extend over time and require overlap.
Climate Change & Climate Action Energy & Environment
Searching for the missing link: Options for firm zero-carbon power

New Atlanticist Dec 6, 2023

John Kerry unveils a ‘critical’ new US strategy to expand fusion energy

By Katherine Golden

“We need to pull ourselves together with every strength we have,” Kerry said on the first day of the Global Energy Forum.
Africa Climate Change & Climate Action

Our nuclear energy work

Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

The Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative is the Atlantic Council’s dedicated home for the exploration of nuclear energy’s future.

Global Energy Center

The Global Energy Center promotes energy security by working alongside government, industry, civil society, and public stakeholders to devise pragmatic solutions to the geopolitical, sustainability, and economic challenges of the changing global energy landscape.

Events

Public Event Fri, March 28, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

Frontiers Project Meeting: Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
Online Event Thu, March 20, 2025 • 11:00 am ET

Report launch: The role of nuclear energy in economic development
Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
Online Event Thu, February 6, 2025 • 10:00 am ET

A new era for nuclear energy with the International Energy Agency’s Fatih Birol

AN #ACFRONTPAGE EVENT— Fatih Birol, executive director of the International Energy Agency, discusses the role of nuclear energy in the future energy landscape.

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy
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Content

EnergySource

Jul 24, 2020

Searching for the missing link: Options for firm zero-carbon power

By Stephen S. Greene

“Firm” zero-carbon generation resources, which are not necessarily intended to run all the time, but can be available at any time, will be needed to complement renewable resources in the future, without emitting the CO2 produced by today’s fossil energy system. These resources might include, for example, fossil-fuel power plants with carbon capture, nuclear power plants with improved dispatchability, geothermal power, and bio-fueled generators. But the path to developing, and certainly deploying, such resources has been slower and more fraught than for renewables; these “firm” electricity generation resources represent a missing link in the path towards a decarbonized electricity grid.

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

EnergySource

Jun 17, 2020

Innovation can break the gridlock on nuclear waste

By Michelle Brechtelsbauer

Innovation has always been a key tenet of the nuclear power industry. With scientific consensus building that nuclear power must play a significant role in mitigating climate change, there has been renewed focus on fuel design and fuel cycle research to support the next generation of nuclear technology. This attention also creates an opportunity to reinvigorate innovation on back-end technologies that may prove to be the key to circumventing the longtime political impasse on nuclear waste.

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

EnergySource

Jun 3, 2020

US nuclear energy leadership: The way forward

By Amb. Thomas Graham Jr.

The recently released report, Restoring America’s Competitive Nuclear Energy Advantage, commissioned by the US Department of Energy’s (DOE) Nuclear Fuel Working Group, is an important step forward for US national security, the battle against climate change, and the health of the US economy. After decades of misguided policy, this report puts the United States back on track in leading a worldwide nuclear energy system that is effective, reliable, and carbon free.

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Press Release

Jun 1, 2020

Atlantic Council announces membership in Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy network

WASHINGTON, DC—June 1, 2020—On behalf of the Atlantic Council, President and CEO Frederick Kempe has announced his membership in Gender Champions in Nuclear Policy (GCNP), a leadership network that brings together heads of organizations working in nuclear policy who are committed to breaking down gender barriers and making gender equality a working reality within their […]

Nuclear Energy

Report

May 26, 2020

European energy security and the critical role of transatlantic energy cooperation

By Richard L. Morningstar, András Simonyi, Olga Khakova, Jennifer T. Gordon

Transatlantic cooperation is essential to European energy security, which is and should remain a key national security priority for the United States. European energy security is crucial for the maintenance of a strong European economy and for European political stability, both of which are in the best interests of the United States. This report recommends that the United States and the EU focus their energy cooperation in several areas that will benefit the EU’s efforts to meet climate targets and that, at the same time, will also bolster energy security.

Energy & Environment Europe & Eurasia

New Atlanticist

May 6, 2020

ENEC’s Mohamed Al Hammadi: COVID-19 won’t delay Barakah nuclear plant

By Larry Luxner

Construction of the Barakah nuclear energy plant in the United Arab Emirates—the first commercial nuclear power station in the Middle East—won’t be significantly affected by the COVID-19 pandemic, despite the economic upheaval it has unleashed upon the world. That’s the word from Mohamed Al Hammadi, CEO of Emirates Nuclear Energy Corp. (ENEC), which is building […]

Nuclear Energy The Gulf

Report

Mar 6, 2020

A new energy strategy for the Western Hemisphere

By David L. Goldwyn

The Western Hemisphere is full of potential and we have the opportunity to galvanize it into an energy powerhouse. This new US energy strategy for the Western Hemisphere will help raise the global competitiveness of the hemisphere, advance its shared prosperity, and improve national and energy security as a result.

Americas Climate Change & Climate Action

EnergySource

Feb 26, 2020

The trade war we want China to win: China’s nuclear exports can challenge Russian dominance

By David Yellen

Russia and China are competing for nuclear industry market share, not working together to dominate, and China’s rise gives Russia a real competitor in nuclear energy—that is good for the United States.

China Geopolitics & Energy Security

In the News

Feb 21, 2020

Cohen in Forbes: Rolls-Royce reignites the race to build mini-nuclear power plants

By Atlantic Council

Economy & Business Energy & Environment

EnergySource

Feb 10, 2020

The climate and equity dilemma: Bending the coal curve in South and Southeast Asia

By Robert F. Ichord, Jr.

South and Southeast Asia are leading the world in terms of developing countries’ energy growth—how can need be met while avoiding new coal investments?

Bangladesh Energy Transitions
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Experts

Fellow

Kayla T. Orta

Nonresident Fellow

Indo-Pacific Security Initiative Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security

Arms Control East Asia

Fellow

Rumina Velshi

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Nuclear Energy

Fellow

George David Banks

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Fellow

Matt Bowen

Nonresident Senior Fellow

Global Energy Center

Energy & Environment Nuclear Energy

Staff

Amy Drake

Assistant Director

Global Energy Center Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Energy & Environment Energy Transitions

Staff

Jennifer T. Gordon

Director, Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Global Energy Center Nuclear Energy Policy Initiative

Nuclear Energy Renewables & Advanced Energy
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