Nuclear Power
About Nuclear Power
Nuclear power refers to energy that is produced by nuclear fission. The latter generates heat which in turn is used to produce electricity. Nuclear power accounts for about 6% of the total world’s energy production and about 14% of all electricity generated. Besides powering nuclear power plants, nuclear power is also used to propel ships, in the first place submarines.
Nuclear power is a subject of major controversy, mainly due to the Chernobyl disaster in the 1980s and the recent Fukushima catastrophe. In the UK, nine plants are currently operating but the Magnox plant is scheduled to be closed in 2014. In 1997, nuclear power plants generated 26% of the nation’s electricity but the percentage dropped to 16% by year 2009. Due to the rising demand for energy and the efforts to lower the UK’s carbon footprint, the Government approved construction of new nuclear power plants.
Advantages of Nuclear Power
-
Safety. Although nuclear power is being criticised for posing a serious threat to both people and the environment, it is actually one of the safest sources of energy available. Less lives have been lost per unit of electricity generated than in any other major source of energy. In addition, just about all nuclear power plants are equipped with a variety of safety mechanisms which are mostly automated and shut down the plant or a part of the plant as soon as any signs of trouble are detected.
-
Zero carbon emissions. Generation of electricity by nuclear power plants does not produce any carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases. This makes nuclear power a much cleaner and environmentally friendly source of energy than fossil fuels.
-
Sustainability. Nuclear power generation requires uranium which is not available in indefinite amounts like solar and wind energy for instance. Nevertheless, it is thought that now available deposits of uranium provide 1,000 years of nuclear energy supply. In addition, many believe that much more uranium is available than the current technologies can extract it. According to some estimations, enough uranium is available to supply nuclear power plants for another 5 billion years. Nuclear power is therefore considered a sustainable source of energy.
Disadvantages of Nuclear Power
-
Risk of nuclear disasters. The opponents of nuclear power claim that the consequences of a potential nuclear accident are too devastating to be worth to take the chance.
-
Risk of nuclear technology falling into the hands of terrorists. Widespread use of nuclear power is feared to make it easier on terrorists to get their hands on the technology.
-
Hazardous waste. Nuclear power plants may not produce greenhouse gases but they produce hazardous waste which is radioactive and extremely dangerous to both humans and the environment.
-
Damage to the environment by uranium mining. Toxic gases are released during uranium mining and have been shown to be carcinogenic, while the mining itself poses a risk of groundwater and soil contamination.