Nuclear power in Zhenia



Zhenia is one of the largest producers of in not only Tarsis but Themys as a whole. As of 1608 AC, it produced a total of 2,955.3 terawatt-hours of electricity from 86 reactors in 15 locations across the nation, accounting for around 56 percent of the nation's total annual electricity, with an overall capacity factor of around 89.5%. Being home to one of the most nuclear-dependent power grids in the world, Zhenia has been pointed at by domestic and international media alike as "a nation heavily armed with nuclear power".

Zhenia was a relatively latecomer to the global trend of nuclear energy, having opened its first experimental and commercial reactors in 1555 and 1563 AC respectively: however, amid active governmental support during the Third and Fourth Republics, it has developed into a global leader in nuclear research and development, as well as one of the largest users of nuclear energy today. Extensive reactor construction programs across the nation since the late 1570s AC has resulted in significant increases in total electricity production within the nation, as well as the decrease in its dependency on fossil fuels. A newer program starting in 1614 AC is expected to come with the introduction of commercial-grade reactors in mass production. As of 1610 AC, there are 7 additional locations with a total of 32 reactors that are under construction or being planned across the nation.

Zhenia has been active in nuclear power research, having built all generations of currently commercially available nuclear reactors to this day on its own. Its research, primarily headed by the Jungchuwon and associated institutes, involves several revolutionary technologies concerning advanced reactors, including liquid sodium fast/nuclear transmutation reactors, high-temperature hydrogen-powered reactors and small modular, mobile reactors, while it has also spearheaded researches in fuel production and waste management technologies. It remains a major global leader in international research programs, slated to complete the Gwangmyeong Thermonuclear Reactor, which is set to be one of the first practical nuclear fusion reactors when completed in 1615 AC.

Regulatory structure and related organizations
While all nuclear power plants are nominally owned by the Zhenia National Electric Corporation, they are primarily maintained and operated by its direct subsidiary, the Zhenia National Hydroelectric & Nuclear Company. While other power plants can be operated by independent power producers other than the Zhenia National Electric Corporation, all nuclear power plants can only be owned by the company, with its monopoly legally protected. While the production of nuclear reactors and associated equipment is mostly done by corporations, the Zhenia National Hydroelectric & Nuclear Company remains involved in the export of nuclear technology.

The Zhenia Atomic Energy Authority (ZAEA) is the primary regulatory body concerning the maintenance and the safety of nuclear reactors and associated projects in Zhenia, as well as the mediator in maintaining international agreements regarding nuclear safety. It reports to the Premier directly, while its director can participate in the National Security Council on certain occasions.

Waste disposal
from the nation's nuclear reactors are primary disposed in the Tachin disposal site, a located in the mountainous desert regions of Shingang Province. Opened in 1597 AC, it became a more permanent disposal site for radioactive waste from the nation's 86 reactors, lightening the load on existing interim storage sites and reprocessing sites that previously stored spent fuel rods.

Commercial shipping applications of nuclear energy
In the early days of nuclear power research during the Third Republic, an array of proposals in applying nuclear technology included the application of nuclear reactors to power large machines previously powered by conventional fuel, including large ships and aircraft. While the proposal to build nuclear-powered aircraft was set aside by the Jungchuwon amid safety concerns, the idea of nuclear-powered ships was put into greater consideration, eventually also involving the Zhenian Naval Nuclear Propulsion Directorate by the early 1550s, with experimental models of nuclear reactors aboard large surface ships and submarines being introduced by the late 1550s. While the Jungchuwon had recommended the consideration of similar ships used for commercial shipping, it was met with great opposition from the Naval Nuclear Propulsion Directorate, which argued for the risk and safety concerns of civilians handling nuclear technology.

Such ideas resurfaced into the commercial realm in the early 1600s AC, as the Jungchuwon began to consider the commercial application of nuclear energy to power large container and boomer ships. A preliminary report from the Jungchuwon's Nuclear Energy Research Committee concluded that the implication of nuclear reactors into commercial shipping would drastically reduce emissions from existing commercial ships, as well as faster shipment times and lower shipping costs in the long run, with ships not having to consume fossil fuels on every voyage.

Anti-nuclear movement
The installation of nuclear power plants under the Third Republic drew concerns and strong criticism from early on, with the connotation of "nuclear power" linking to atomic bombings over Jin-Nampo and Jinhae towards the end of the Second Great War. Although the Third Republic convinced the public that the installation of nuclear power was for peaceful means, there had already been movements linking the existence of nuclear power as the prelude to a second tragedy similar to the historic atomic bombings.