Is Nuclear Power a viable source for electricity?
1 Introduction
Nuclear power plants can be sighted in countries all around the world, producing nuclear energy. It is also a non-renewable source of energy, as the materials used in the process could deplete in the foreseeable future. The use of harnessing this hazardous energy is to power the many homes and buildings that stand today, using it as a source of electricity has been proven to be viable. Many agree and disagree with the notion that nuclear power should be fully implemented in society, and it is unclear what kind of effects this action could cause environmentally and socially.
2 Arguments
Using nuclear power has been a controversial topic recently, especially after the events that followed in 2010 at the Fukusima Daiichi nuclear power plant. As a result, two perspectives on the issue have emerged; one being for nuclear power and the other against.
2.1 Against Nuclear Power
The majority of people who oppose nuclear power are citizens who felt that their lives were being threatened. Other groups such as doctors and scientists are against it, who can understand the health aftereffects of radiation and how it can endanger lives and even cause death. Finally, large organizations such as Greenpeace and Friends of the Earth have been vocal about their point of view on the situation.
Many opposing arguments have been proposed, such as the health effects due to long periods of exposure to radiation, the Chernobyl and Fukusima disaster and lastly, the disposal of nuclear waste that is produced during the process of creating nuclear energy.
The materials that are used for the process of creating nuclear energy, such as uranium or plutonium emit large amounts of radiation. Radiation is energy that is in a form of a particle or electromagnetic waves; there are three types of radiation, alpha particles, beta particles and gamma rays. Much research has been conducted and it has been concluded that radiation has a direct correlation with cancer and the higher dosage of radiation one receives, the probability of cancer increases.
There are two events which rank as Level 7 events on the International Nuclear Event Scale; a ranking system to list nuclear disasters by their severity, 7 being the most severe. These two events are the Chernobyl and the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disasters which released massive amounts of radiation; a large radius from these plants have been evacuated and deemed unlivable, as the radiation levels were too high. The effects of these two significant events will continue for generations to come.
Nuclear waste is also an important issue with creating nuclear energy; the byproduct of the process where the nuclear fuel is depleted and is in a state that can not be used for any purposes is called nuclear waste. Some waste from nuclear power plants can emit so much radiation; it would be deadly if a human came in contact with it without it being covered with heavy concrete or large steel containers. There are three categories of nuclear waste, A, B and C. These categories are based on how long it would take the nuclear waste to stop emitting radiation, A it would take 100 years, B 200-300 years and C 500 years. The main problem lies with the disposal of nuclear waste; this is conventionally done with the construction of large concrete vaults underground. In February of 2013 scientists noticed that the tanks holding two-thirds of the American nuclear waste in the state of Washington started leaking; this could cause many issues if the radioactive material enters groundwater.
2.2 For Nuclear Power
The people who are for nuclear power are the minority of citizens who believe this can be a viable source of energy and should be implemented in society; large pro-nuclear organizations such as the World Nuclear Association and the International Atomic Energy Agency. Large power companies also support nuclear energy as it is very cost-effective and allows them to make more profit.
Many arguments have been stated, these include the economical aspect of nuclear power, that nuclear power plants do not release oxides into the atmosphere and nuclear fuel has high energy density.
Nuclear power is very cost-effective, so much so that it rivals alternative energy sources. Though nuclear fuel might have a very reasonable price, especially when one considers how much energy it can produce; however, it is a small portion of the total cost of running a nuclear power plant. There are capital costs, as the disposal of nuclear waste by creating large concrete vaults and a decommissioning budget, as it takes large periods of time to fully decommission a nuclear power.
Creating nuclear energy unlike burning fossil fuels does not produce any oxides that contaminate the atmosphere. Such oxides that are produced from fossil fuels are; carbon dioxide which is a greenhouse gas, carbon monoxide which can cause multiple health issues if inhaled, sulfur dioxide which causes acid rain and nitrogen oxide which also attributes to acid rain. Nuclear power plants only let water vapor out into the atmosphere.
Nuclear fuel has very high energy density, which means that there is an abundance of energy even in a small portion of nuclear fuel. The energy output is extraordinary; 150 tons of nuclear fuel could last for eighteen months and produce as much electricity as 2,325,000 tons of coal. This can be very enticing especially for power companies who want the profit margins to be as high as possible, as they have to buy less fuel.
3 Opinion
After reviewing both sides and giving it much though I have come to the conclusion that I am against nuclear power, as the risk outweighs the benefits. There are a plethora of options of alternative renewable sources of energy that should be given more attention for future development. This attention unfortunately, is being given to non-renewable sources of energy, such as nuclear power and fossil fuels. If this cannot be accomplished then an alternative choice to solving this global issue is to learn as a society to ameliorate the amount of energy we use daily.
4 Conclusion
Nuclear power has caused much controversy recently, but, it was a solution in the past when there were no alternatives to fossil fuels. However, now technology has further advanced and options have been created. Renewable energy is all around us and to harness this energy doesn’t disturb the natural processes that take place in the environment. In conclusion, large corporations should invest in renewable energies, thus, allowing us to develop and create a safe environment for the next generations.
5 References
Mark Holt, Richard J. Chambell and Mary Beth Nikitin. “Fukushima Nuclear Disaster.” Federation of American Scientists. January 18, 2012. Web. March 11 2013.
“The Economics of Nuclear Power.” World Nuclear Association. March 2013. Web. March 11 2013.
Wade Marcum and Bernard I. Spinrad. “Nuclear Reactor.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. 2013. Web. 12 March 2013.
“Chernobyl Accident.” Encyclopedia Britannica. Encyclopædia Britannica Online Academic Edition. Encyclopædia Britannica Inc. Web. 12 March 2013.
Michael J. Daley. “Nuclear Power.” Lerner Publication Company. 1997. Book. March 11 2013.
Craig Donnellan. “Energy Matter.” Independence. 2005. Book. March 12 2013
By: Sotiris Karagounis
Anatolia College Science & Technology Club 