...The Uncertainty and Disadvantage of Nuclear Power NE 471 Dr.Chang South Carolina State University ANTRON CALDWELL ABSTRACT The future global economy is likely to consume increasing amounts of energy considering the increasing demand for cheap, clean and reliable energy from developing countries such as India and China. Though there are technologies capable of supplying this energy these energy sources come at the expense of increased ozone damaging CO2 emissions. CO2 emissions are believed to be a significant contributor to the rise in the average temperature of the Earth’s climate known as global warming. In the United States electric power plants emit about 2.2 billon tons of carbon dioxide (CO2) each year, which is about 40% of the nation’s total carbon emissions (NRDC, 2014). It is generally accepted by climate scientist that if annual carbon emissions are not reduced by at least 80% by the year 2030 then there will be an increase of greater than 2°C (35.2°F) which is considered an acceptable safe level or approximately 4°C (39.2°F) by the year 2100 in the Earth’s climate temperature (Carrington, 2013). These increases in the Earth’s temperature would be catastrophic, however measures taken by the government through the Clean Air Act to regulate emissions from stationary and mobile sources, and groups such as the National Resource Defense Council (NRDC) have somewhat reduced the emissions from stationary sources such as power plants and mobile sources such...
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...developing nuclear energy because it is environmental friendly and cost-effective. II. Body 1. Concerns A. Safety 1. Nuclear radiation on residents (e.g. Chernobyl & Fukushima disaster) → threat health and lives of residents 2. Nuclear radiation on workers→ cancer A. Waste disposal 1. Deep Geologic Disposal (difficult to build, 30-60 years) → few constructed storages for nuclear waste 2. Difficult to safely transport (e.g. Goiania) 2. Benefits C. Environmental friendly 1. Less carbon dioxide → mitigate greenhouse effect 2. No polluting gases → mitigate air pollution D. Cost-effective 1. Little nuclear fuel → much energy → effective 2. Lower unit price of nuclear power → economic III. Conclusion Benefits ( environmental friendly & cost-effective) ＞ concerns ( safety & waste disposal) → develop nuclear energy （1157 words） With the rapidly increasing population, human being’s demand for energy has become more urgent. Around the world, the finite fossil fuels are the main sources of energy. 85% of world energy are currently provided by fossil fuels which have the dominate position compared to other energy sources (Foris, 2005, p. 615). The author also states that 90% of carbon dioxide and 80% of polluting gases are generated by fossil fuels, causing dramatic greenhouse effect and air pollution. Thus, it is not wise for governments to continue using fossil fuels as the major energy sources...
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...The Benefits Of Powering Our Future With Nuclear Energy February 26, 2015 The Benefits Of Powering Our Future With Nuclear Energy A significant issue that impacts the American economy today is the increasing demand for energy, the availability of fuel, and the rising cost of electricity. There are many Americans who have anti-nuclear views for many different reasons related to safety, security and economics. These Americans oppose the construction of new nuclear plants because they are focused solely on the potential negative aspects of nuclear power generation such as radiation exposure and terrorism. These concerns are legitimate; however, evidence suggests that America should support building more nuclear power plants because nuclear power is a safe, economic and environmentally sound energy source. In exploring the safety aspects of nuclear power generation, we find that one of the most prevalent reasons that people are opposed to nuclear plant construction is their fear of the risks that are associated with radiation exposure. When nuclear power is generated, material is produced that emits radiation. This material can come into contact with people during routine power plant operation. In addition, radiation can be released during nuclear power plant accidents, and transportation of nuclear material. As described by University of Pittsburgh Professor Bernard Cohen, “radiation exposure can damage biological cells and thereby initiate a cancer and cause genetic diseases”...
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...The Nuclear Revolution Joyce H. Davis Virginia College Online The Nuclear Revolution The unknown is daunting, even scary at times, causing hasty and irrational decisions. Lack of information and knowledge is the root of the reaction from society when one hears the word nuclear. At the present time, the United States is home to fewer than one hundred nuclear reactors. The cost of producing nuclear energy is comparable to the energy sources used today, and studies indicate that nuclear energy emits less greenhouse gases, gases that are a contributing factor to climate change and the deterioration of the ozone layer. Concerns arise about the safety of the workers and the public when it comes to the handling and the disposal of nuclear waste, but there have been no recorded deaths in the United States because of exposure to radiation from a commercial nuclear reactor. Precautions taken during the construction of nuclear power facilities helps to ensure the safety of the public in the wake of a catastrophic event. A new energy source is needed to address the issues pertaining to the energy crisis faced by society today. Nuclear energy is that source. Nuclear energy is a viable source of energy because the cost of producing it is low, because it emits less greenhouse gases than fossil fuels, and because it poses no threat to the safety of its workers or the public. Because of the vast supply of uranium, costs involved with the production of nuclear energy are kept to a minimum;...
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...Can Nuclear Energy Be the Answer? It is only possible to mitigate global warming if the world-wide consumption of fossil fuels can be drastically reduced in the next 10 to 15 years. There is simply no room for a scenario as it is depicted by Lester R. Brown in the book Plan B 4.0 Mobilizing to Save Civilization. The scenario plays out like a horror movie, poverty, depleted water supply, food shortages, terrorism, over population, disastrous floods, erratic changes in ocean currents and global warming. What is causing global warming? Carbon dioxide and other air pollution that is collecting in the atmosphere like a thickening blanket, trapping the sun's heat and causing the planet to warm up. Coal-burning power plants are the largest United States source of carbon dioxide pollution -- they produce 2.5 billion tons every year. Automobiles, the second largest source, create nearly 1.5 billion tons of CO2 annually. (Valentinas Mickūnaitis) The good news is there are many technologies that exist today to allow cars to operate more efficiently and use less gas. In order to reduce the amount of toxins in the atmosphere, older power plants need to be modernized and we need to reduce our electricity by putting into practice energy efficiency, these are just some suggestions to lowering the levels of CO2, we have to make sure they are implemented. Politicians are especially attracted to the restoration of nuclear power as a possible solution to averting global warming. When the...
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...Topic: Nuclear energy Course Code: EG114400 Class: 1C Name: Lee Chak Kwan 150134649 Lee Tsz To 150035266 Chong Ching Ho 150415484 Yip Chung Hing 150589275 Leung Ka Shing 150171909 Lee Ki Kwan 150035752 Contents Introduction 3 Background 1.Identify a global issue 3 2.Background of the global issue 4 3.Formulate a title for the presentation proposal 5-6 Analysis of the global issue 7-8 Perspective 1. Technological 8-11 2. Economical 11-12 3. Social 12-13 Recommendation 13 Conclusion 14 Reference 14-16 Introduction: First of all, we are going to introduce the nuclear energy. About the nuclear energy, we will explain and analysis from three parts about the background, the analysis and the trade-specific recommendations for local development. Also, we will thorough many different directions to probe the nuclear energy. Explain why the nuclear energy is the global issue, what is the problem and interest bring from nuclear energy. Then, our report will make you can know more about nuclear energy you may do not know. When you think why the nuclear energy will bring different problem to the earth also use this energy. We will explain each factor to you knows. Background: Since the 1950s, nuclear energy has been an important part of the world's fuels. Nuclear power is a nuclear reaction in the release of nuclear energy to generate...
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...Nuclear Energy Energy cannot be created nor be destroyed but it can be converted from one form to another. Nearly all the mass of the atom is concentrated in a tiny nucleus in the centre. The nucleus is composed principally of two sorts of particles: the proton which carries the positive charge and the neutron which is electrically neutral and has a mass slightly bigger than that of proton. Nuclear energy is the energy released from the nucleus of an atom. When a nuclear reaction occurs whether fission or fusion, it produces large amounts of energy. How Nuclear Energy is produced When the heaviest element, uranium was bombarded with neutrons, it was discovered that instead of inducing radioactivity as did other elements, something different happened. This process was named fission. When fission occurred, not only were two lighter elements and a lot of radiation produced, but also more neutrons. It was clear that these neutrons could in turn also cause fission, producing more neutrons and developing a chain reaction which might spread throughout all the uranium present. In the fission of uranium 235 nucleus, the amount of energy released is about 60,000,000 times as much as when a carbon atom burns. Most of the energy from fission appears as kinetic energy as the fission products shoot apart and quickly share their energy with their surroundings, thus producing heat. The first reactors to produce a usable amount of power were built at Calder hall in England. With pure...
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...Nuclear Fusion’s Vital Role in Energy Dystopian civilization with poor lifestyles and defunct societies are portrayed all the time in fiction. Building off the notion of chaos, writers have made these fears evident in their work. Whether it be through zombie outbreaks or political dysfunction, we fear losing all the progress humanity has made over the past four millennia and falling into anarchy. As much as these events can seem extreme or fictitious, they could become reality. But over the course of the next century, the world will experience an unprecedented catastrophe known as the energy crisis that could incite a dystopia. Scientists describe the energy crisis as the combination of increasing energy need, the need for environmentalism,...
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...Should our reliance on nuclear energy sources be expanded in an effort to fuel the future? Today there is a great concern about our carbon emissions and other pollutants because of their adverse affects on our climate. Thus alternative sources of energy are being sought out, such as solar, wind, natural gas, and nuclear energy. Many have found themselves opposing nuclear due to past errors, waste management, safety features, and financial concerns. However, these issues are being addressed as promising new reactors are being designed. Nuclear energy has some clear benefits when compared to some of the drawbacks of other methods. Natural gas will most likely release too much carbon dioxide in the long run to be effective, wind and solar energy are too intermittent and costly to function as a large-scale solution, and hydropower may not be able to expand easily easily enough to make a lasting difference (“Why We Still Need Nuclear Power”). With very little carbon dioxide emissions, relatively cheap energy generation, and an impressive reliability record, nuclear power proves itself to be an option to be explored in a country where electricity generation emits more carbon dioxide than transportation or industry. There are many safety concerns surrounding nuclear energy, but the industry has learned a lot from previous mistakes and many new safety measures are being tested and implemented (“Nuclear Now”). Previous failings with nuclear power, such as the Fukushima disaster,...
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...Nuclear Energy in the UAE The United Arab Emirates’ annual economic growth is three times the world average. It is also expected that the energy requirements in the UAE are to more than double by 2020 (Nuclear Power in the United Arab Emirates, 2015). Subsequently, maintaining a constant seamless energy flow is key to maintaining the thriving economic growth of the UAE, even increasing it. In relation, the eventual limitedness and diminishing of petroleum in the Gulf region over the next half century squeezes the issue further more and turns it into a national concern; predominately with the possible repercussions on the UAE’s prosperous economy. Looking forward, the UAE government is embarking upon a nuclear program to build four nuclear reactors at Barakah near the capital Abu Dhabi by 2020, declaring nuclear energy to be the most practical solution to the rapidly growing energy requirements in the UAE. Critics of this plan deem it to be expensive, extremely risky, and an unwise move given the UAE’s geographical position in the middle of an area sparked by political tension due to nuclear issues in Iran and terrorist organizations in the Levant and Yemen. Despite the aforementioned criticism, nuclear energy is unequivocally the most efficient solution to address the rapidly growing energy requirements in the UAE, a capable long-term replacement for oil, and a potential imperative factor in mitigating CO2 emissions in the UAE, consequently preserving the environment and the...
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...People are always discussing how to make better use of nuclear energy, so people should learn more about what nuclear fission and nuclear fusion are. Nuclear fusion is two or more atoms of small mass synthesize a relatively large atom. For example, deuterium and tritium occurs nuclear interaction with each other under certain conditions, such as high temperature and high pressure. They can generate neutrons and helium -4. Rather, nuclear fission is an atom of large mass that is divided into two or more relatively small atoms. The principle of atomic bombs and the current nuclear power plants is both according to the nuclear fission. In the process, both of them will release huge energy, but the nuclearfusion releases greater energy....
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...demand for energy. Due to the era of cheap and unsustainable energy supply, also known as fossil fuels, coming to an end, we must consider other forms of energy. Nuclear energy is the energy released during nuclear fission or fusion, when used to generate electricity. Renewable energy is energy from a source that is not depleted when used. Both types of energy are considered to be replacements for fossil fuels, however both with benefits and drawbacks. One of the main advantages of nuclear energy is that it is a clear power with no atmospheric emissions therefore it does not contribute to global warming. They do not produce smoke particles to pollute the atmosphere or emit gases that contribute to acid rain. When comparing this with the atmospheric emissions of fossil fuels, it is a big advantage. It is by far the most concentrated form of energy - a lot of energy is produced from a small mass of fuel, this reduces transport costs. It is considered low cost power for today’s consumption. The technology has already been developed, it is ready for market use. It is not geographically limited as nuclear power plants don't require a lot of space; they do not need a large plot like a wind farm. It is reliable, unlike some forms of renewable energy, it does not depend on the weather. We can control the output from a nuclear power station to fit our needs. Although radioactive, nuclear power does produce a small amount of waste. One of the main disadvantages of nuclear power is the...
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...Project Report Cover Sheet For submission to: Dr Iain MacGill Course code : ELEC9714 Course name : Electricity Industry Planning & Economics Name of school : School of Electrical Engineering Assignment Title : Options and Challenges for Future Nuclear Generation Investment in the NEM Student name: Yijun Huang z5024017 Sicong Ma z5025785 Date: 14/05/2015 Literature Survey Options and Challenges for Future Nuclear Generation Investment in the NEM Yijun Huang, Sicong Ma Contents Acronyms...................................................................................................I List of Figures............................................................................................II List of Figures...........................................................................................III Executive Summary Introduction1 3. Conclusion............................................................................................14 References................................................................................................15 Acronyms ABWR Advanced boiling water reactor APWR Advanced pressurized water reactor EC6 Enhanced CANDU 6 EPR European pressurized reactor ESBWR Economic simplified boiling water reactor ACR-1000 Advanced CANDU reactor CCGT ...
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...Should U.A.E. go Nuclear Power plants are in excessive need as we approach an elite era of scientific and economic escalation in the U.A.E. The electrical power in the U.A.E. is produced through power plants. The power plants utilize the following methods to produce energy: gasoline, diesel, and natural gas. The Power plants currently do a good job in producing energy for the needs of the country but sometimes we reach that limit. Let’s take Dubai for example, with all the skyscrapers and technological advancements, it requires more energy day by day. We can see DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) power stations everywhere where we drive in Dubai. They consume massive amount of land to be able to support Dubai electrical energy needs. With EXPO 2020 just around the corner, the emirate has to move toward a more efficient and sustainable energy source, nuclear energy. This essay will discuss the current methods of producing energy in the U.A.E., expense of traditional energy plants in comparison to the nuclear energy plants and of course the fuel to power ratio of each and lastly the sustainability factor. Currently the most common method used to produce energy in the U.A.E. are power plants operate various steam and gas turbines combined with electric generators to produce energy. They use various types of non-renewable energy like petroleum and natural gas. A relatively large amount of natural gas must be used to burn in the gas burners to turn the water to steam in...
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...Brittany Money Professor Costello R&W 305W 22 October 2014 Nuclear Power a Solution to Climate Change Climate change is all around us whether someone believes it for themselves or not. From the melting ice caps in Antarctica to the rising seas of Bangladesh. The increase of temperature in the earths atmosphere are rapidly getting worse and the reason for it is the burning of fossil fuels. We as a country, need to make a change in how we produce electricity to help our earth become a more sustainable place for our future children. A great solution to this issue we are facing is nuclear power. Nuclear power has its advantages and disadvantages just like any other form of energy. Although I believe that the advantages out weigh the disadvantages making it the perfect fit to replace fossil fuels. Nuclear power does have its disadvantages, with one being the fear of nuclear accidents. What happened at Chernobyl was the worst nuclear accident the world has seen. Although even that accident isn’t as damaging to the earth as what is happening to our earths atmosphere as we omit carbon dioxide, burning fossil fuels to power our electricity (The Right 61). Another disadvantage of nuclear power is the radioactive waste that the reactors produce. If not stored properly this waste can omit radiation into the air harming many people around the plant. Even with the potential harm scientist are able to dispose of it by solidifying it then it gets buried underground (Chandler). When its...
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