Nuclear Energy
The conventional form of nuclear energy is derived through the process of nuclear fission. The element Uranium, is split apart which creates large amounts of heat energy. (Rutledge & McDaniel, 2011) The heat energy is used to heat up water, in which steam is produced to power turbines within the nuclear plant which in turn generates electricity. Nuclear energy accounts for nearly 15% of the world’s electricity supply.
Detailed video about how a nuclear plant works. Reproduced from http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_UwexvaCMWA
Nuclear Fission
Nuclear fission power plants are the most feasible form of nuclear energy and has been widely used by countries around the world. Such countries include the United States of America and France.
Advantages
Stable Prices
Since the raw materials needed are uranium and not fossil fuels, it will not be greatly affected by rise and falls of the price of petroleum or natural gas.
Clean Production
Furthermore, the nuclear fission process does not produce greenhouse gases that contributes to global warming. Hence it is a clean form of energy that is sustainable.
Efficiency
Uranium is a very efficient fuel as compared to fossil fuels. It is estimated that 1 pound of enriched Uranium could provide as much energy as a million gallons of gasoline (Rutledge & McDaniel, 2011).
Cooling towers of a nuclear plant. Reproduced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_reactor
Disadvantages
Dangerous process
The mining and purification of the element Uranium is not a clean process. The waste that are dug up and produced in the process are highly radioactive and would post serious health concerns if they are not treated properly. An example of a poorly treated uranium mining spot would be the Churchrock mining site near Navajo, Southern United States. The mine spilled thousands of tonnes of radioactive water into the rivers in that area in 1979 and caused the water to be 7000times the radioactivity the amount allowable for drinking. Presently, the abandoned mine still stands a 30 foot high pile of radioactive waste which is very near to the village of Navajo.
Limited Uranium
Furthermore, the supply of Uranium is actually very limited. At current rates of consumption of uranium, the amount of Uranium in the world would actually only last for another 80 years.
Radioactive waste
The end products of the nuclear fission process are highly radioactive as well. It is estimated that one nuclear reactor generates 20 metric tonnes of such waste every year. Such waste takes a large amount of resources to contain, and the improper containment and treatment of such waste could lead to catastrophic outcomes. The Chernobyl nuclear disaster that occurred in 1986, Ukraine, was the worst nuclear disaster in history which caused the Ukraine officials around 550 Billion USD. The area affected is still under quarantine and radiation levels are still high in that area. A more recent nuclear disaster would be the Fukushima nuclear disaster that occurred in 2011, Japan. The incident occurred due a Tsunami, which led to the failure of the coolants in the area and ultimately a nuclear meltdown. Tonnes of radioactive waste had been released and still are being released and had rendered the immediate vicinity of the nuclear plant to be uninhabitable.
A sign warning visitors about the radioactive water in
Churchrock. Reproduced from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Church_Rock_uranium_mill_spill
Aftermath of the Fukushima disaster in 2011. Reproduced from http://www.2050publications.com/fukushima-nuclear-fall-out-still-nowhere-near-being-contained-no-more-now-surely/