However, other sectors use it, such as nuclear medicine and the military industry. Understanding the pros and cons of nuclear energy allows us to draw our conclusions. Nuclear plants produce electricity without emitting greenhouse gases. This tech reduces the use of classic thermal power plants. They minimize the use of fossil fuels. As a result, nuclear power plants emit less polluting gases CO 2 and others. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, nuclear plants prevent the emission of 2 billion metric tons of CO 2.
This amount of gasses that power plants would have emitted using fossil fuels. However, we must consider that most fossil fuel consumption comes from road transport thermal engines. Many vehicles such as Cars, trucks, among others, use fossil fuels. With a tiny amount of uranium, NPP can get large amounts of energy. It implies advantages in savings in raw material and savings in transport, extraction, and uranium handling.
The production of electrical energy is continuous. Nuclear energy does not depend on natural aspects like solar and wind energy do. Solar energy depends on the hours of the sun. Eolic power depends on wind intensity. So that, not always coincide with the hours of the most significant energy demand. At the cost level, it is also plannable.
Uranium does not suffer price variance than other fuels such as oil suffer. As an alternative to fossil fuels , it is unnecessary to consume as many fuels as coal or oil. The less consumption of coal and oil reduces the global warming problem.
As a result, the lower the planet's climate change. Fewer fossil fuels would improve the quality of the air. The better quality of the air, the fewer diseases, and also improves the quality of life. Nuclear power plants are cheaper to operate than their coal or natural gas rivals. The amount of energy produced is also higher than in most other forms. For instance, in the United States, it is estimated that replacing a 1GW nuclear power station would require 2GW of coal.
Today, nuclear power plants use nuclear fission. On the other hand, the international community is investigating atomic fusion.
For instance, the ITER project is one of those projects. When nuclear fusion energy is viable, most of the cons of atomic energy will disappear. The safety systems in nuclear power plants are very high. However, the human component always has a specific impact. The decisions taken faced with an unforeseen event could be wrong. We have two good examples in Chernobyl and Fukushima.
Chernobyl is the worst nuclear accident in history. Several wrong decisions of the staff caused the explosion of the atomic reactor. Fukushima's case was different. Natural causes caused the accident. However, some nuclear authorities questioned the ruling after the disaster. It was the second-worst in history.
A major con is the management of nuclear waste or radioactive waste. Commercial nuclear power is sometimes viewed by the general public as a dangerous or unstable process. This perception is often based on three global nuclear accidents, its false association with nuclear weapons, and how it is portrayed on popular television shows and films.
DOE and its national labs are working with industry to develop new reactors and fuels that will increase the overall performance of these technologies and reduce the amount of nuclear waste that is produced. DOE also works to provide accurate, fact-based information about nuclear energy through its social media and STEM outreach efforts to educate the public on the benefits of nuclear energy.
Many people view used fuel as a growing problem and are apprehensive about its transportation, storage, and disposal. DOE is responsible for the eventual disposal and associated transport of all commercial used fuel , which is currently securely stored at 76 reactor or storage sites in 34 states.
For the foreseeable future, this fuel can safely remain at these facilities until a permanent disposal solution is determined by Congress. DOE is currently evaluating nuclear power plant sites and nearby transportation infrastructure to support the eventual transport of used fuel away from these sites. It is also developing new, specially designed railcars to support large-scale transport of used fuel in the future.
Building a nuclear power plant can be discouraging for stakeholders. Conventional reactor designs are considered multi-billion dollar infrastructure projects. High capital costs, licensing and regulation approvals, coupled with long lead times and construction delays, have also deterred public interest. DOE is rebuilding its nuclear workforce by supporting the construction of two new reactors at Plant Vogtle in Waynesboro, Georgia. The units are the first new reactors to begin construction in the United States in more than 30 years.
The expansion project will support up to 9, workers at peak construction and create permanent jobs at the facility when the new units begin operation in and DOE is also supporting the development of smaller reactor designs, such as microreactors and small modular reactors , that will offer even more flexibility in size and power capacity to the customer. These factory-built systems are expected to dramatically reduce construction timelines and will make nuclear more affordable to build and operate.
Challenging market conditions have left the nuclear industry struggling to compete. Strict regulations on maintenance, staffing levels, operator training, and plant inspections have become a financial burden for the industry. To further improve operating costs. DOE is also working with industry to develop new fuels and cladding known as accident tolerant fuels.
These new fuels could increase plant performance, allowing for longer response times and will produce less waste. Accident tolerant fuels could gain widespread use by
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