Nuclear Energy – As renewable source of energy

Nuclear energy is the energy contained within the core or nucleus of an atom. Within this nucleus are protons which hold a positive electric charge, and electrons. Which hold a negative electric charge, with bonds holding these particles together. When these bonds within the atom core are broken, through a process called nuclear fission. It produces a significant amount of energy we can use to produce electricity.

Pritish Kumar explained Nuclear Energy, a renewable source of energy that is produced, is associated with its pros and cons. 

How is nuclear energy produced?

Nuclear energy is produced when atoms are split apart during nuclear fission to release energy. The most common fuel used for nuclear fission in nuclear power plants is uranium. However, only a certain type of uranium (U-235) is suitable, and in some plants plutonium is used instead.

How does nuclear energy work?

Nuclear fission takes place when a neutron collides with a fuel atom. This causes the atom to split apart, releasing heat and radiation energy, as well as more neutrons which will go on to collide with more fuel atoms, and so the cycle continues. The cycle is called a nuclear chain reaction. A nuclear chain reaction can be controlled within the reactors of a nuclear plant to produce heat. Which in turn heats a cooling agent to produce steam. The steam produced turns turbines or wheels that drive generators to create electricity we can use.

What is nuclear energy used for?

The most widely known use for nuclear energy is simply to produce electricity to power both domestic buildings and industries, such as schools, hospitals, homes, and businesses. However, there are also other important uses of nuclear energy.

Insect Control in Agriculture

In many parts of the world, where agriculture is a huge percentage of their economy, they’ll use radiation to stop insects from reproducing if they pose a threat to their crops. This protection of crops is vital as it allows these countries to provide food for themselves. And the many other countries that rely on them.

Makes Food Safe

Irradiation is also used to kill bacteria and other pathogens in food through sterilization. Don’t worry – this doesn’t make the food radioactive or affect it nutritionally. It simply makes our food safe to eat. While this process may make you feel uncomfortable, irradiation is actually the only way to kill bacteria on raw or frozen foods fully, so it’s incredibly important.

Medical Diagnosis and Treatment

Nuclear technologies can also help in the medical industry. They are used to provide imaging inside the human body to get more accurate diagnoses, and nuclear technologies even help to treat some diseases. Doctors have been able to predict exactly the right amount of radiation needed to destroy cancer tumors without damaging healthy cells. With more research, this could be a huge breakthrough in cancer treatment. By allowing patients to get treatment without the associated weakness.

 

And, just like in the agricultural industry, gamma-rays sterilize medical equipment cheaply and safely in hospitals all across the world. With ensuring the equipment medical professionals use don’t spread infection and disease.

Water Sterilization

Unfortunately, many communities across the world still don’t have reliable access to clean water. To make their water clean to drink, they use a process called desalination. Which requires a huge amount of energy. Nuclear energy facilities can provide this energy for the water desalination plants to provide fresh drinking water to those communities that don’t have it at a low cost.

What are the advantages of nuclear energy?

There are many advantages of nuclear energy, such as:

nuclear energy is a source of carbon-free electricity that can be harnessed 24/7 for up to 2 years at a time.

It has a high density – the amount of energy released during nuclear fission is approximately 10 million times greater than that released from burning an atom of fossil fuel.

Nuclear energy is flexible to the needs of the people it serves – for example, it’s possible to slow electricity production from nuclear power plants. If there is enough electricity coming from wind or solar energy sources, or increased if there becomes a higher demand for electricity. Such as in winter months

nuclear energy is relatively low cost – although initial construction costs of plants are large, the generation of electricity from nuclear energy is much cheaper than the electricity. That generated from fossil fuels and can go on indefinitely.

Nuclear power plants do not drastically change the environment surrounding them so can be built almost anywhere.

Nuclear energy creates jobs – power plants provide long-term (usually well-paid) employment and support local economies

What are the disadvantages of nuclear energy?

There are, however, disadvantages to nuclear energy we’re likely all aware of. Although few, many people believe these disadvantages outweigh the advantages. These disadvantages are:

By products of nuclear power are radioactive material and radioactive waste which can be extremely harmful.

Although the safety measures in place are extensive, as we all know, accidents can happen. History shows that no matter what measures we take. Radioactive disasters from nuclear power plants will always be a risk.

The building of nuclear reactors requires a high level of technology, education, and money, and only countries who have signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty can get the fuel that they need. This means that nuclear power plants are generally only located in the most developed countries.

How does nuclear energy affect the environment?

This is where a majority of the disadvantages of nuclear energy lies and why some people are opposed to nuclear energy.

As we talked about briefly above, when nuclear fission occurs the by products are in the form of unstable atomic nuclei known as radioactive material. If radioactive material is not disposed of properly, it negatively affects the environment.

Radioactive material is highly toxic for humans and other animals. Where it can cause burns, and lead to cancer, blood disease, bone decay, or radiation poisoning. All used fuel must be stored in huge containers filled with water, which cools the used fuel down and prevents outside contact.

The other by product is known as radioactive waste. Radioactive waste includes all materials that have come into contact with radioactive dust, including worker’s clothes and tools. Radioactivity can last for thousands of years in some cases. So, this waste is immediately disposed of so no further contamination can take place.

The disposal must follow strict governmental regulations, although where this radioactive waste is stored has become a very controversial issue in the US.

Reference

https://www.inspirecleanenergy.com/blog/clean-energy-101/is-nuclear-energy-renewable