FWR Group Sustainability Articles
What are some facts about nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy has always been a contentious issue due to the fact that it can be extremely dangerous. A good example is the Chernobyl disaster that occurred in 1986 and many people believe this accident is one of the main reasons nuclear energy is not more prolific. Despite the dangers of nuclear power, it is a relatively safe form of energy with modern health and safety laws heavily regulating the industry.
Nuclear power now accounts for about 14% of the world’s electricity with the majority generated in the United States, France and Japan. In America, nuclear power provides about 20% of all energy needs with 104 reactors operating today. Worldwide there were 439 reactors operating in 2007 in 31 countries. This amount is not expected to increase significantly in the next few decades as there is still a lot of opposition towards nuclear energy.
Although nuclear energy is many times more efficient than coal or oil and much less material is needed to produce the same amount of power, fossil fuels will remain the more common form of energy generation in the future. There are several reasons for this occurrence such as cost, safety, and waste disposal of radioactive material. The time and money required to build a nuclear reactor is much greater than that of a coal or oil fired power station. The chance of a radioactive event is another reason why many people are sceptical of nuclear reactors. It is interesting to note that, Chernobyl aside, there has never been a radiation related death recorded in a commercial nuclear facility. The production of radioactive waste is also a major factor in the resistance towards nuclear power. Although the volume of highly radioactive waste is relatively low, it is very hazardous to human health and the environment. Modern reactors are however able to reprocess waste and use it again.
Proponents of nuclear energy highlight the fact that no greenhouse gas emissions are created by a reactor. However, there is considerable environmental disturbance and carbon dioxide production associated with the extraction, transport and storage of uranium before it is used in a nuclear reactor. New technology also has the ability to almost completely reduce radioactive waste production.
Despite the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy it will remain a contentious issue. The serious outcomes of a reactor failure will ensure debate continues over this current form of energy generation.
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This work by Michael Duggan is licensed under a
Creative Commons Attribution-No Derivative Works 2.5 Australia License.
