The Nuclear Rhine
Conflict and Cooperation in a Transnational River Basin
Time: Tue 2024-06-11 10.00
Location: F3 (Flodis), Lindstedtsvägen 26 & 28, Stockholm
Video link: https://kth-se.zoom.us/j/66713057398
Language: English
Subject area: History of Science, Technology and Environment
Doctoral student: Alicia Gutting , Historiska studier av teknik, vetenskap och miljö
Opponent: Dr Jan-Henrik Meyer, Max Planck Institute, Germany
Supervisor: Professor Per Högselius, Historiska studier av teknik, vetenskap och miljö; Dr Kati Lindström, Historiska studier av teknik, vetenskap och miljö; Professor Anna Storm, Linköpings universitet
QC 20240521
Abstract
The water and nuclear energy sectors are intricately and interdependently entwined. In this thesis, the relationship between water and nuclear energy is being examined specifically in the Rhine River basin from the 1950s to the contemporary period. Through a series of four research articles, this work scrutinises the complex interaction between nuclear development and water management, emphasising the critical yet often undervalued role of water in the nuclear energy sector. This investigation gains particular relevance in the context of climate change, which heightens the environmental impact of nuclear power as well as the vulnerability of nuclear power plants to extreme weather events, such as heatwaves.
A central thesis argument is the contemporary societal undervaluation of water for nuclear energy, contrasted with its more recognised value in the mid-20th century. This shift in perception is especially pertinent as extreme weather conditions underscore the need to reassess water's worth. Employing a transnational and interconnected approach, this research challenges conventional national narratives and underscores the significance of cooperative and shared resource management along the Rhine. This paradigm serves as a blueprint for future transnational collaborations, particularly within the European sphere.
The analysis explores various facets of water-nuclear-interactions, including the selection of riverine sites for nuclear power plants, the challenges and conflicts arising from these decisions, and specific case studies on risk perception, water diplomacy, and the sustainability of nuclear power in the age of climate change. These discussions are not only rooted in historical analysis but also engage with contemporary debates about the environmental sustainability of nuclear energy and its role in a future marked by increasing climatic uncertainties.
In summary, this thesis offers a novel perspective on the dynamic relationship between water and nuclear energy, advocating for a renewed appreciation of water as a crucial but limited resource. It highlights the necessity for sustainable, forward-thinking approaches to nuclear energy development. As we confront the challenges of climate change, the insights from this research present valuable lessons on the importance of transnational cooperation, comprehensive risk assessment, and the meticulous consideration of environmental impacts in shaping future energy policy. Thus, this work illuminates the past while providing guidance for navigating the complex interdependencies between water and nuclear energy in the future.