On the other end of the spectrum, nuclear power has come leaps and bounds and may even overtake coal in our future as the central energy source in our world. Nuclear power became one of the few resources for energy besides fossil fuels when the US government made the decision in the 1950’s to back nuclear power instead of solar energy (Gonzalez, 2012). Nuclear power in the US was established by economic elites such as the Rockefeller Foundation and the Panel on the Impact of Peaceful Uses of Atomic Energy (Gonzalez, 2012). As a result, nuclear power appeared to be the only viable alternative to fossil fuels leading to its forthcoming (Gonzalez, 2012). In order to produce nuclear power, a certain directional process must be followed. To start …show more content…
First of all, nuclear power releases far fewer carbon dioxide emissions, resulting in a significantly less effect on nature since it does not discharge any gasses such as methane and carbon (Buzz, 2009). With this comes significantly less pollution as well for our world and leaves no unfavorable impact on land or water (“Nuclear Energy Pros,” 2015). Another advantage nuclear power has is its low operating costs in terms of producing very inexpensive electricity (“Nuclear Energy Pros,” 2015). The normal life of a nuclear reactor ranges anywhere from 40-60 years (“Nuclear Energy Pros,” 2015). Additionally, nuclear power is extremely reliable as it can run without disruption in any condition (“Nuclear Energy Pros,” 2015). It is believed, though that the supply of nuclear energy is going to last much longer than fossil fuels (“Nuclear Energy Pros,” 2015). Likewise, it is more proficient than fossil fuels meaning, it has a higher energy density, requires less fuel than others and isn’t influenced by the rising oil and gas costs (“Nuclear Energy Pros,” 2015). Furthermore, the capacity of nuclear power is able to meet the needs of not only industrial facets, but cities as well (Buzz, 2009). Lastly, unlike other sources of energy, nuclear waste can be reduced through waste recycling and reprocessing (Buzz, 2009). Through all these means, nuclear power has risen to the challenge of becoming …show more content…
If there is one thing that I have learned in this course it is that our contribution to our environment plays an extremely crucial role in global warming and what our environment will be like in the future for not only the current generation, but for generations to come. To go off my point of picking nuclear power versus coal power, nuclear power has significantly less of an impact on our country than coal. Nuclear power does not contribute carbon dioxide emissions as readily as coal does leaving it far safer for our environment. Another reason that I chose nuclear power over coal power is the idea that nuclear power is extremely reliable and will last longer than fossil fuels. Of course, coal has a significant amount of reserves on hand today, but eventually the world will run out coal and we will be left to find other sources to make our energy from. Similarly, nuclear power does not rely on the prices of other resources, making it an energy source that can be seen as reliable. In my own opinion though, nuclear power is best source for not only our environment, but our own
Non-renewable resources such as fossil fuels have been used up by society on a daily basis and have forced the world to find a new, clean energy source. The rising price of oil and the constant emission of carbon dioxide are proof that in the future our lives will be much harder to live. One answer to this problem is nuclear power, which has shown its efficiency during the times of World War II but has not been used commercially due to the challenges of dealing with nuclear waste and proliferation. In today?s modern era, nuclear power has been used in liquid metal fast breeder reactors, reactors that use uranium-238 to produce plutonium-239.
Energy is undoubtedly one of the most important issues facing the world today. While fossil fuels may produce enough energy at a low cost, it also has severe environmental impacts on the world. Wind energy is a clean source, but is also extremely expensive to maintain. Nuclear energy may be the best energy alternative to coals and oil, with the ability to produce much more energy with relatively low cost, while also being more environmentally sound.
Nuclear power, or nuclear energy, is the use of exothermic nuclear processes,[1] to generate useful heat and electricity. The term includes nuclear fission, nuclear decay and nuclear fusion. Presently the nuclear fission of elements in the actinide series of the periodic table produce the vast majority of nuclear energy in the direct service of humankind, with nuclear decay processes, primarily in the form of geothermal energy, and radioisotope thermoelectric generators, in niche uses making up the rest. Nuclear (fission) power stations, excluding the contribution from naval nuclear fission reactors, provided about 5.7% of the world's energy and 13% of the world's electricity in 2012.[2] In 2013, the IAEA report that there are 437 operational nuclear power reactors,[3] in 31 countries,[4] although not every reactor is producing electricity.[5] In addition, there are approximately 140 naval vessels using nuclear propulsion in operation, powered by some 180 reactors.[6][7][8] As of 2013, attaining a net energy gain from sustained nuclear fusion reactions, excluding natural fusion power...
Although nuclear energy may emit less carbon dioxide as compared to oil or gas, it is nowhere near the alternative energy source we need. A Huffington Post article showed that water shortages, exacerbated by global climate change, minimizes the ability for expansion of nuclear power plants. As the generators require large amounts of water to keep them cool, they must be built on large water sources, mostly rivers and lakes. This reliance on water severely limits the places the nuclear power plants could be built, which makes nuclear an unreliable resource to replace oil and gas in the future as it could not meet all our energy needs. Furthermore, in 2009, France was forced to shut down many of their power plants due to the unseasonably warm summer it had, most likely caused by climate change. As our Earth continues to heat up and more places experience drought, nuclear energy is less and less reliable due to the reliance on cold water. Additionally, runoff from the water flows into nearby water sources, causing thermal pollution to the animals and ecological consequences. Coupled with the fact that we still have no idea how to properly dispose of the waste material left behind from nuclear reactions, nuclear power is not the alternative energy that solves major world problems. This hurts future generations, as we will not only create yet another reliance on an energy source that harms the planet, but divert attention away from truly solving the issue on hand. A Bloomberg New Energy Finance report from early June projects that as early as 2028, solar energy can replace the oil and gas sector demands. The cost of projection would also decrease for both solar and wind energy by 66-71% within the next ten years as well. Solar and wind have considerably less risks to the environment and, regarding these as more possible
After the United States developed the atomic at the end of World War II, interest in nuclear technology increased exponentially. People soon realized that nuclear technology could be used for electricity, as another alternative to fossil fuels. Today, nuclear power has its place in the world, but there is still a lot of controversy over the use of nuclear energy. Things such as the containment of radiation and few nuclear power plant accidents have given nuclear power a bad image. However, nuclear power is a reliable source of energy because it has no carbon emissions, energy is available at any time, little fuel is needed for a lot of energy, and as time goes on, it is becoming safer and safer.
Overall in the end Nuclear power plants can be seen as a good alternative for energy and also be seen as harmful. Through fission the power plants are able to create electricity through the two types of nuclear reactors, the Pressurized Water Reactor (PWRs) and the Boiling Water Reactor (BWRs). Most states have nuclear power plants now and produce 20% of the nation’s power; around 3 million Americans live within 10 miles of an operating nuclear power plant (Nuclear power plants, n.d.para.1). It does have pros and cons to it but in the end it does create 20% of the nation’s power and the percent is growing.
The world is facing an energy crisis and many are unaware of this growing problem. Sustainability is avoiding depletion of our natural resources in order to provide for future generations, and the only way to ensure that resources are available into the future is to find alternative sources to meet the world’s energy needs. Nuclear energy is just one source of alternative energy being implemented today in an effort to support the needs of the population and mitigate global climate change. Nuclear energy holds the necessary benefits in order to continue being used globally as an alternative solution.
Should nuclear power be used as the main source of energy? This is a very controversial topic that will be discussed here. People from both sides of this issue all care about the environment, but have different opinions on nuclear energy. Before getting into the debate, it is important to know how nuclear power plants work. The nuclear reactor, which is usually twelve meters tall, is enclosed in a dome like building made up of meter thick reinforced concrete walls. Nuclear fission produces heat which is used to heat up water which then turns into steam. The steam then turns turbines that are connected to generators which in turn produce electricity. The steam then goes through a condenser where it is turned back into liquid and goes back into the reaction chamber to repeat the process. So the question that faces everyone is: should nuclear power be used as the main source of energy? Some say yes, because nuclear energy is clean energy that does not pollute the air, it is safer and cheaper than any other method; yet others say no, because the capital costs are too high, they produce nuclear waste if there is an accident, the consequences are disastrous.
Nuclear power has proven before that it can result in tragedy, both seen in the accident in Chernobyl and Fukushima. However, in places such as France and even the University of Maryland, we can see the many advantages that nuclear energy can bring forth, and for different purposes. In both research and energy production, nuclear energy has proven that it can not only improve our health and the economy, but also emit less harmful gases on the environment than fossil fuels. Looking to the future, nuclear energy can easily ascend as a dominant source of electricity – if properly managed. Other sources of energy will slowly deplete and continue to damage the environment and atmosphere. Nuclear power provides a solution to so many of the current energy crisis problems, so it is only a matter of
Nuclear power is a growing source of energy to most of the world for many benefits. People doubt the significant of nuclear power because of one accident. Due to this accident, the world has only seen the flaws in nuclear power and not the many benefits it has to offer. Nuclear power would benefit worldwide if people would let go of the past and look towards the future. Nuclear power is a better alternative energy because of its economic and environmental benefits.
Around 1894, scientists discovered that by bombarding a radioactive substance with neutrons, a highly powerful energy could be produced. This is ionizing radiation, which is strong enough to rip the electrons from the nucleus of an atom, hence the name “nuclear energy.” over a century later, nuclear substances are harnessed in order to provide energy. However, nuclear energy is not only discussed amongst scientists, but anyone fearing the safety and future of the environments surrounding the area where a nuclear power plant is implemented.
Nuclear Power, The generation of power using highly radiated uranium pellets in fuel rods used to heat up water and run turbines. This is why Congressman Bill Nelson should not support the building of a new nuclear power plant in the state of Florida.
Nuclear power plants produce nuclear waste or fission product which is still radioactive after splitting the original atom. “The large majority of the energy is released instantaneously but the rest of it comes out from the fission products over the years. That slowly released energy is what makes nuclear waste a hazard.” (Touran). That hazard can affect both humans and the environment which the waste is placed in. Nuclear waste is also hard to get rid of. The methods used take a long time to dispose the waste, especially high level waste. “High level waste decays into intermediate level waste over many thousands of years.” (Nuclear Power). Intermediate level is a high level of radiation which is hard to contain. Nuclear waste is a danger to the workers in these factories due to the health problems they could have. Also many other people can be affected by the radiation that are taking in. “Nuclear Power Plants cause between 600-1000 deaths a year per million people” (Nuclear Power Plant Accidents). These death of innocent people are just because of the usage of radiation. Nuclear waste is stored safely in containers in a pool just for the containers to reduce radiation (Nuclear Power). Although they are stored there radiation can still come out and the water used is now polluted. Today we are running the risk of having no more water. This is just using up more water were it can be used in a everyday life. Nuclear power plants should stop being used because all of the waste it produces and also because accidents can be
The use of nuclear energy has increased in the United States since 1973. Nuclear energy's share of U.S. electricity generation has grown from 4 percent in 1973 to 19 percent in 1998. This is excellent news for the environment. Nuclear energy and hydropower are the cleanest large-scale means of electricity production. Since nuclear power plants do not burn fuel, they emit no combustion byproducts—like carbon dioxide—into the atmosphere (www.nei.org). Nuclear power can come from the fission of Uranium, plutonium or thorium or the fusion of hydrogen into helium. Today uranium (U-235 and U-238) is most commonly used in the production of nuclear energy. The expa...
The greatest disadvantages of nuclear energy are the risks posed to mankind and the environment by radioactive materials. ‘On average a nuclear plant annually generates 20 metric tons of used nuclear fuel cla...