Nuclear Power Generation

N power is defined as the controlled use of nuclear chain reactions to free energy for work, including momentum, heat, and the generation of electricity (Energy Information Administration, 2007). Nuclear power generation is currently limited to nuclear fission and radioactive decay; energy is generated when a sufficiently concentrated fissile material like uranium creates nuclear fission in a controlled chain reaction which also generates heat. The heat can be used to boil water, produce steam, and drive a steam turbine — the turbine can be used for mechanical purposes and to produce electricity. Nuclear power generation provides 7% of the world’s energy and 15.7% of the world’s electricity (IEA, 2006). The U.S. produces the most nuclear energy, with nuclear power supplying 20% of consumption, and France generates the highest share of its electrical energy from nuclear reactors — 80% as of 2006 (EIA, 2004 and Beardsley, 2006). Currently, there is somewhat of a political groundswell in several countries where “nuclear” substitutes for fossil-fuel-generated electricity. A key issue is its low emissions of greenhouse gases which can assist governments to reach targets specified in the Kyoto Protocol. Additional rationales to support further growth of nuclear capacity: • Transparent cost structure and low exposure to the variations in global fuel prices; nuclear is the only power generating technology where all costs are explicitly priced • Support for price stability by providing inexpensive baseload generation • Security of natural gas supply which may be weakened in the future due, for example, to “unstable” deliveries from Russia. The �orld Nuclear Association (2006a) categori�es price stability and security of supply as national benefits and non-�ero greenhouse gas emissions as a global environmental benefit. The �orld Nuclear Organi�ation encourages governments to combine their regulatory and safety-oversight responsibilities with efficient licensing procedures for new plants and to introduce incentives to accelerate the transformation to clean-energy economics provided by nuclear generation. The “800-pound gorilla” issue for the public is the still-unresolved problem of safe, secure waste storage for indefinite periods. Post 9-11, the likelihood of severe radioactive contamination caused by accidents or sabotage, including the possibility that rogue organi�ations or nations can produce or purchase nuclear weapons is a universal concern. Proponents believe that such risks are small and can be contained or diminished by utili�ing new reactor technology. Critics claim that nuclear power is an uneconomic, unsound and potentially dangerous energy source, especially compared to renewable energy, and that new technology cannot be relied on to reduce risk.