This second edition of the Handbook of Generation IV Nuclear Reactors (https://www.elsevier.com/books/handbook-of-generation-iv-nuclear-reactors/9780128205884) combines the history of development, research, industrial-operating experience, advanced designs, systems and safety analysis, and applications of nuclear energy. Impressive number of 64 recognized nuclear-energy-system experts from 13 nuclear-power countries: Belgium, Canada, China, France, Germany, India, Japan, Russia, Republic of Korea, Ukraine, Switzerland, UK, and USA, contributed to this book. The second edition builds on the successes of the first edition published in 2016 (Handbook of Generation IV Nuclear Reactors, 2016. Editor: I.L. Pioro, Elsevier - Woodhead Publishing).

A comparison of the net present value, the payback period, and the levelized cost of electricity for three different projects of construction and exploitation of plants for electricity production with the aim of decarbonizing the energy sector is conducted. The first project is the building of a large-scale nuclear power plant with a light-water reactor, the second one is the deployment of several identical small modular reactors, and the third project is based on solar and wind power plants. Given that the sun and wind are intermittent renewable energy sources, it is inevitable to take into account the construction of an energy storage facility in the last project. The results show that the most profitable are the small modular reactors, while the investment into solar and wind power plants is burdened with the necessary electricity storage plant costs. Another drawback of an investment in solar and wind power plants is their shorter exploitation lifetime of 25 years compared to the long-term operation of nuclear power plants of 60 years or even more.

It is with immense pleasure to write this column and join all of you the Nuclear Engineering and Radiation Science (NERS) journal readers and contributors in celebrating its eighth birthday. As is true from the very beginning, the ASME Nuclear Engineering Division (NED) once again wishes the Journal and in particular Editor-in-Chief Igor Pioro and whole Editorial Board every success in continued publication of the excellent Journal. Nuclear energy is faced with major challenges ranging from public perception and acceptance to non-proliferation and continued operation and enhanced safety of existing fleet with lessons learned from past accidents. On the other side, nuclear energy has enormous potential to help the World to mitigate climate change effects and transition to carbon free energy. Having in mind the global nature of these societal and technological issues, it is imperative that professional forums such as international journals and technical professional meetings provide a global communication channel to foster the exchange of ideas and critical information and to enhance cross-fertilization of research and development activities through our professional community.

A comparison of the net present value, the payback period and the levelized cost of electricity for three different projects of construction and exploitation of plants for electricity production with the aim of decarbonizing the energy sector is conducted. The first project is building of a large-scale nuclear power plant with a light-water reactor, the second one is a deployment of several identical small modular reactors and the third project is based on solar and wind power plants. Given that the sun and wind are intermittent renewable energy sources, it is inevitable to take into account the construction of an energy storage facility in the last project. The results show that the most profitable are the small modular reactors, while the investment into solar and wind power plants are burdened with the necessary electricity storage plants costs. Another drawback of an investment in solar and wind power plant is their shorter exploitation lifetime of 25 years, compared to the long-term operation of nuclear power plants of 60 years or even more.