At some point during our education, most of us have heard of molecules and atoms, and that the core of the atom is called the nucleus. While the nucleus may be miniscule, the energy that it possesses is astounding. While generating power from nuclear power plants can indeed provide a massive amount of energy, the legitimate drawbacks must be considered.What is Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy is released through either fission or fusion. Through nuclear fission, atoms are split to create smaller atoms. The process releases energy that can be produced into electricity by nuclear power plants. Nuclear fusion is a process of combining atoms together to create larger atoms which also releases energy. This energy, however, has not yet been utilized to produce electricity.
The most common source of fuel for nuclear energy is Uranium. Although uranium can be easily found throughout the world, U-235, the specific type of uranium used by nuclear plants is relatively rare. U-235 has been designated for nuclear fuel because of the ease in splitting its atoms.
Nuclear Power Generator
In a nuclear power generator harnessing heat is the goal. A reactor coolant, usually purified water, is used to cool the core and keep it within operational parameters. This water is allowed to vaporize and the steam generated during the release of heat energy from nuclear fission is used to move turbines.
A nuclear reactor contains the uranium fuel that gets formed into pellets, about the size of a fingertip. These little pellets can create vast amounts of energy, 1 pellet creating energy equal to 150 gallons of oil. There are thousands of these pellets in a nuclear reactor.
Nuclear Energy in the US
Nuclear power generation is very useful; hence, nuclear power plants provide 20% of the total electricity demand in the U.S. In 2008, 66 nuclear power plants are located in the U.S. Another nuclear power plant, Tennessee Valley Authority’s Watts Bar 2 is targeted for completion in 2012. They are easily identifiable since nuclear reactors all look like large concrete domes.
Drawbacks of Nuclear Plants
Although the US Department of Energy (DOE) supports the utilization of nuclear energy to meet the electricity needs of the country, there are some drawbacks to it. Production of nuclear energy leads to radioactive nuclear waste, which has been reported to cause cancer. Proper waste management is necessary in order to ensure that waste coming from nuclear power plants does not contaminate our water and land.
It’s difficult to forget the nuclear plant incident at Chernobyl that exploded in 1986, generating radioactive material in the atmosphere in the form of gas and particle matter. Children who were near the blast had increased cases of thyroid cancer. Many workers, particularly firemen, who tried to control the situation didn’t survive the radiation exposure. This event led to even stricter regulations being placed on nuclear plants.
Where Are We Going with Nuclear Energy?
At present, the US is planning to make the Yucca Mountains in Nevada the central repository of nuclear waste. Not surprisingly, citizens of Nevada are in opposition considering the health effects of nuclear radiation exposure. Nuclear power companies and the DOE must work hand-in-hand in making sure that the public’s safety would not be in peril for energy’s sake.
