Nuclear energy is a sensitive topic. Opinions have been widely divided on nuclear energy for years and has been a topic of debate since the 1950s. Safety and environmental friendliness of nuclear energy are mentioned several times. We hear from both the various environmental organizations and politicians about the future of nuclear energy. Not everyone is aware of what nuclear energy entails … Let’s discuss the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy.
About nuclear energy
In simplified terms, nuclear energy is generated by splitting nuclei from uranium. In this case, a heavy unstable atomic nucleus divides into two or more lighter nuclei, releasing large amounts of energy. This is called a nuclear chain reaction. This reaction is controlled in large numbers in a nuclear power plant. Nuclear power plants quickly give a ‘polluted’ picture, but what is true about that?
Benefits of nuclear energy
Clean energy
Not many people are aware that a nuclear power plant does not emit CO2 and other greenhouse gases into the air. Nuclear energy is therefore called clean energy. Apart from other fossil energy sources, the consequences are minimal for the environment.
Economical energy
Compared to other energy sources, nuclear energy requires few raw materials. Wood, for example, is the most widely used fuel worldwide. This fuel is often used in poorer countries. But wood can also be used for heating in an electricity plant. In addition to wood, coal can also be used. Coal already contains more energy than wood, but uranium takes the cake …
Calculation example:
- 1 kilo of wood = 1 kilowatt hour
- 1 kilo of coal = 3 kilowatt hours
- 1 kilogram of uranium = 40,000 kilowatt hours
According to reports, there will be uranium in raw materials in the earth for hundreds of years. If uranium runs out, coal can be used. Coal is also available for hundreds of years. Gas, on the other hand, can run out in a human age …
Cheap energy
Uranium is relatively cheap compared to other raw materials. Building a new nuclear power plant is very expensive and will have to be paid for approximately in the first 20 years. The power station will have to pay for the storage of the radioactive waste itself. Ultimately, it is said that the costs for nuclear energy are much lower than for coal, gas and oil. Some even claim it is cheaper than using green renewable energy.
Independence
Uranium, the largest energy producer for nuclear power plants, is abundant in many countries. In terms of independence, energy suppliers are becoming less dependent on unstable countries.
Disadvantages of nuclear energy
Safety
The safety of nuclear power plants has already been seriously affected in the past. Everyone is aware of what caused the Chernobyl disaster on April 26, 1986. The consequences of this accident were enormous and drastic measures have been taken to improve the safety of nuclear power plants. Today the chance of a similar disaster is close to 0%.
Nuclear waste
The lion’s share of nuclear waste is reprocessed into nuclear fuel, but some of it will always remain that can sometimes remain radioactive for up to 100,000 years.
Health
Everyone is aware that radioactive radiation is unhealthy for the population. Overdose of exposure is very harmful and can cause cancer and cause malformations in unborn children.
Nuclear energy, yes or no?
Format it ?? of raw materials immediately gives a negative picture and therefore also with the use of uranium. The use of environmentally friendly energy sources is encouraged, but these sources will have to be so safe and modernized. When the environment is affected to some extent, this is a sensitive issue for many institutions and alternatives will have to be found for certain problems. Nuclear power plants have a number of strong advantages in addition to a number of disadvantages. Nuclear energy, for example, provides large numbers of clean, efficient but also cheap energy. In terms of image, it seems that nuclear energy is not THE solution, but that nuclear energy can be a good alternative as a substitute for energy sources.