Debating Whether Nuclear Power Should Be Developed for Future Energy Supplies

Debating Whether Nuclear Power Should Be Developed for Future Energy Supplies

Introduction

I am writing this essay to debate the idea of having nuclear power

developed for future use by us. This takes on a major issue and covers

many aspects of our nations energy use both in present and for the

future.

When we think about nuclear power we do not automatically think of it

as a non renewable energy source. This is because it is not part of

the fossils fuels; coal, oil and gas, which we all know will not last

us as reliable energy sources for much longer. However, nuclear power

is a non renewable energy source and has many dedicated power stations

located around the UK. Nuclear energy is considered an important fuel

to produce energy as it currently provides 28% of this country’s

needs, compared to the feeble 1% of renewable energy used.

How is nuclear energy made?

Nuclear energy is obtained by processes of nuclear fission and fusion.

In nuclear fission the energy is released by splitting the atom

sending a neutron blasting through the nucleus, this makes other

neutrons fly off at high speeds setting up a chain reaction. Nuclear

fusion is the opposite by which the nuclei of two or more atoms fuse

together, in the process mass is lost and this is then converted into

energy.

Production of energy takes place inside a nuclear reactor which

consists of a core surrounded by a thick concrete shield, steam pipes,

turbines and a final (electricity) generator. After the mining of the

ore (this is mainly uranium or plutonium ore) has been done the pure

uranium is turned into uranium dioxide which is made into pellets.

Several ...

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...n the UK, they

are mainly in remote areas, for obvious reasons, and also near the

sea. More of these can lead to their expansion in more populated areas

putting many lives in danger.

I also feel that instead of turning to another non renewable energy

from fossil fuels, it is far better to invest and research into the

development of renewable sources which will give us clean, cheap

energy in the future. By looking at changing the technology for these

alternatives now, we can help plan for the future. However, if the

nuclear industry was developed then when reserves of uranium and

plutonium ran out we would once again be searching for other ways.

So overall I feel that nuclear energy, although cheap and reliable, is

not the best option to be developed for future use, not just in this

country but around the world.