Nuclear power

548 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: negative effect of nuclear power

Introduction
Nuclear power is an electricity generating method by using the heat released by the combination of uranium-235 and neutron. Atomic energy was firstly used in 1951, which was in the last 100 years, but it is currently one of the main ways to produce electricity. This paper will examine the success of atomic energy, in order to find out the reasons how nuclear power has become a game changer which created a great influence to our world.

Game Changer
Nuclear power has given countries a new way to generate electricity efficiently, which changed the world’s electricity generating trend. Before the invention of atomic power, fossil energy was likely to be the only source of electricity. After nuclear energy was discovered, countries started to invest in nuclear power instead of the one that was used to be. According to “Nuclear Power Worldwide: Status and Outlook” (2007), nuclear power supplied 15% of the worldwide electricity in 2006. In 2008, the percentage even rose to 17% as cited by Graham (2008). A possible reason is that atomic energy has a higher efficiency than fossil fuel. Shah (2011) revealed that nuclear plants in the USA can covert 87% of all the heat generated into electricity while coal plants and oil power plants can only have an average of 85%. Hence, the high generating efficiency of nuclear plants has changed the world’s tendency on source of electricity.

Lasting Impact
Nuclear power reactors generate electricity at a lower cost, attracting countries to start using atomic energy. According to McDonald (2008), there are currently 30 countries using nuclear power as one of their electricity source, some of them such as France and Belgium even use atomic energy as their main way to produce electricity. An...

... middle of paper ...

...on-has-changed-the-world-52136/
3. McDonald, A. (March, 2008). Nuclear Power Global Status. IAEA Bulletin 49-2. Retrieved from http://www.iaea.org/Publications/Magazines/Bulletin/Bull492/49204734548.html
4. Nuclear Power Worldwide: Status and Outlook. (December, 2007). Electrical Contractor. Retrieved from http://www.ecmag.com/section/miscellaneous/nuclear-power-worldwide-status-and-outlook
5. Shah, A. (July 7, 2011). Nuclear Energy Efficiency vs Fossil Fuels (Oil, Gas) in Power Load Factors, Energy Density and Waste. Green World Investor. Retrieved from http://www.greenworldinvestor.com/2011/07/07/nuclear-energy-efficiency-vs-fossil-fuels-oilgas-in-power-load-factorsenergy-density-and-waste/
6. The Economics of Nuclear Power. (October, 2013). The World Nuclear Association. Retrieved from http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Economic-Aspects/Economics-of-Nuclear-Power/

Show More
Related

  • Nuclear Waste

    700 Words  | 2 Pages

    The development of nuclear industry has been a cornerstone for the world's technological revolution. Since the discovery of fission more than a half century ago, nuclear power has become a major source of the world's electricity supply. By 1989, 416 nuclear power plants were in operation, thus providing approximately seventeen percent of the world's electricity (Waczewski, 1997). With more than one hundred nuclear operating plants, the United States easily gains the title as having the world's largest nuclear energy program.

    Read More

  • Problems Facing Breeder Reactors as a Future Energy Source

    2569 Words  | 6 Pages

    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.

    Read More

  • The Argument For Nuclear Energy

    1430 Words  | 3 Pages

    There are several factors influent whether or not a particular type of energy is adopted. These factors include cost, reliability, environmental impact, generating capacity, and efficiency, possibilities of hybrid designs and storability, and technology development risk. While renewables are not being developed fast enough to meet demand, the best available option may come from conventional energy sources. Among them, nuclear power which is well developed and highly penetrative is the largest source of electricity that does not release significant amounts of greenhouse gas and has been contributing mostly to world energy use.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Speech: We Must Use Alternative Power Sources Instead of Nuclear Energy

    1650 Words  | 4 Pages

    Central Idea: Nuclear energy only contributes a small amount to the world’s electricity yet it has hazards and dangers that far out-way its benefits. There are many other alternative power producing sources that can produce energy more efficiently and more safely than nuclear power plants can.

    Read More

  • Nuclear Technology After the World War II

    953 Words  | 2 Pages

    Not only is nuclear power friendly to the environment, but it is almost always available, and many countries are starting to use it more. Renewable energy sources like solar and wind en...

    Read More

  • Pros and Cons of the Different Types of Power Plants: Hydroelectric, Thermal and Nuclear Power Plants

    1218 Words  | 3 Pages

    Depending on progress of technology of the countries’ energy consumption is increasing day by day. Countries have started to use different kinds of energy sources like hydropower, solar, wind, waves and nuclear energy except fuel foils to close their energy gaps. Especially in the developed countries all of the hydroelectric production capacity has almost used yet the alternative energy sources such as solar, wind, geothermal and biomass is limited. Using fossil fuels or coal cause many problems such as environment and air pollution. Because of these limitations governments have directed to use nuclear energy sources. The main advantages of the nuclear energy are the cheapest price, low environmental pollution and long lasting source of the reserves. This paper discussed the advantages and the disadvantages of the nuclear energy which is used as an indispensable energy source in France, Germany, Italy, UK, USA, and some Scandinavian countries, Russia and many other countries. In this essay, it is claimed that in this c...

    Read More

  • Nuclear Energy Essay

    998 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nuclear power is the generation of electricity from an atomic reaction. (World Statistics: Nuclear Energy Around the World n.d.) Though it produces zero carbon emissions there has been a decline in support for nuclear power and increased its support for alternative energies in the pursuit for a fossil free energy sector. Factors that have resulted in the reduction of support for nuclear energy include nuclear accidents and waste and the positives of renewable energy which include clean energy, sustainable and reduced health and environmental risks.

    Read More

  • Sould Nuclear Power be Used as the Main Source of Energy

    1615 Words  | 4 Pages

    Afgan, Naim H. "Sustainable Nuclear Energy Dilemma." Thermal Science 17.2 (2013): 305-321. Academic Search Premier. Web. 25 Feb. 2014.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Nuclear Energy

    1596 Words  | 4 Pages

    Nuclear energy is a tricky topic. At first thought, the word nuclear tends to throw some for a loop, flashing images of deadly “nukes” and atom bombs in their heads. However, nuclear energy can offer a wide array of benefits that can realistically solve the growing energy crisis our planet will soon face, not to mention the many rewards that nuclear research can lead to. As fossil fuels slowly get burned away, where will we turn to next? Yes, there are several renewable sources of energy that can help, but none that are a clean everyday-everywhere solution. Unfortunately, nuclear power is not without its own issues, as no source of energy is perfect. Nuclear energy can be wildly beneficial, both as an energy source and research port, but at what cost?

    Read More

  • Nuclear Power Essay

    1281 Words  | 3 Pages

    Nuclear power has grown to be a big percentage of the world’s energy. As of January 18, 2013 in 31 countries 437 nuclear power plant units with an installed electric net capacity of about 372 GW are in operation and 68 plants with an installed capacity of 65 GW are in 15 countries under construction. As of end 2011 the total electricity production since 1951 amounts to 69,760 billion kWh. The cumulative operating experience amounted to 15, 15,080 years by end of 2012. (European Nuclear Society) The change that nuclear power has brought to the world has led to benefits in today’s energy’s usage.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Nuclear Energy

    1784 Words  | 4 Pages

    Electricity is the most famous and common use of nuclear power. In most countries nuclear powers more than 10% of their electricity. The U.S. with 100 atomic reactors create 19% of our power, and 30% of the electricity around the

    Read More

  • Nuclear Power Essay

    698 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nuclear energy is produced during the process named nuclear fission or nuclear fusion. The development of nuclear energy started in the 20th century and there is now worldwide recognition for using nuclear energy. Popular countries that operates nuclear power are United States, France, Japan, and Russia, the nuclear energy generates up to 6% of the world’s electricity supplies. Even though the energy is mostly used by many countries, but it may causes side effect to the living things in the environment. (WNA, 2012)

    Read More

  • Persuasive Speech On Nuclear Energy

    877 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nuclear energy is a very powerful source of energy. Just a little bit is required to make large amounts of electricity, which powers 1 in 5 households in the U.S. Nuclear energy has been advanced over the years and has been relied on heavily by many countries today.

    Read More

  • The Pros And Cons Of Nuclear Power

    687 Words  | 2 Pages

    “Every dollar spent on nuclear energy is one less dollar spent on clean renewable energy and one more dollar spent on making the world a comparatively dirtier and a more dangerous place, because nuclear power and nuclear weapons go hand in hand” (Jacobson). Most countries today are becoming more and more dependent on nuclear power as a source of energy because of its high energy output and the availability of uranium used for fuelling nuclear reactors that generate power to provide electricity in households. Although using nuclear power as a source of energy has benefits like this, the danger posed by using nuclear power is too ominous.

    Read More

  • Persuasive Essay On Nuclear Energy

    507 Words  | 2 Pages

    Nuclear energy is the energy from the fission or fusing of nuclear atoms, the most common being uranium atoms. This energy source is the largest provider of carbon-free emissions for creating electricity. Being such a reliable energy source, it's no surprise that there are already states and countries relying on nuclear energy to provide a large percentage of their energy needs. Nuclear plants also only need to stop producing energy every 18-24 months, and that's just to refuel. Many brilliant minds approve of nuclear energy and there are studies ongoing to make this energy source even more eco-friendly, reliable, and accessible. Nuclear energy plants currently provide 20% of America's energy needs currently, and that amount should definitely be increased in the next decade.

    Read More

More about Nuclear power

Open Document