The Nuclear Energy as a Source of Electricity - Term Paper Example

Introduction In nuclear energy, radioactive materials such as uranium are used to produce energy to do useful work. The energy harnessing occurs in nuclear power plants through a process of nuclear fission. In nuclear fission, the nucleus of the atoms is attacked with the neutrons causing the nucleus to split in the process releasing a huge amount of energy that was in store. Nuclear fission performed on radioactive materials such as uranium and plutonium produce a huge amount of heat that can undergo conversion into energy and powering electricity (European Nuclear Society, 2010). The human dependence on electricity has been increasing dramatically at a huge rate. The amount of electricity, which we depend on every day, is unlikely to go down in the coming years rather its demand is expected to increase. The period of the industrial revolution provided several technologies that required burning fossil fuels for them to work properly. In modern world, most of the energy used in powering all the equipment emanate from fossil fuel combustion. Fossil fuel energy is derived from oil, natural gas, and coal. These fuels are combusted to produce energy in the form of electricity for use. The burning of fossil fuels does have detrimental effects on the environment. Once burned, they release greenhouse gasses and other air pollutants into the atmosphere. Eventually, the continuous use of fossil fuels will eventually deplete its supply throughout the world. On the other hand, the use of renewable sources is a good alternative but its energy supply cannot meet the demand of the growing population and usage. In the interest of preserving the natural environment and consequently maintaining the fossil fuel supply globally, alternative methods of energy must be looked at. These alternatives must provide adequate electricity to meet the demand and minimize the damage to the natural environment. Is Nuclear Energy Our Best Hope? Despite the negative image of the nuclear energy as a source of electricity, the use of nuclear energy may be the most efficient and realistic source of meeting the ever-increasing demand for power globally. In today’s world, global warming is a major issue that affects several people, economies, animals and the entire society. Over the past years, Global warming has been rising because of the increase in its major contribution such as industrialization, fossil fuel burning, increase in greenhouse gasses and increasing population (Nuclear Energy Institute, 2009, September). For several years, arguments and debates have been raging on how to stop and reduce the effects of global warming. The ideas range from unplugging unused electronics, planting of more plants, carpooling among many others. From the debate, the topic that is most popular for reduction in the amount of greenhouse gases is the use of alternative source of energy. Most notably, nuclear is used as a source of energy to combat greenhouse effect. There are several other alternative sources of energy, but nuclear energy is the major alternative. The use of nuclear energy as a source of energy is the best alternative solution in trying to solve the problem of global warming if correct measures are put in place. Power from nuclear energy is becoming a popular source of energy in many countries. Several nations globally are adopting the ideas of using nuclear energy to supply electricity. The nuclear energy as a source of power was among the main options available to meet the increasing demand for energy globally and it has the potential benefit of the people, economy and the environment at large. Unlike the other means of energy generation that releases greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere, nuclear energy is clean. Nuclear energy is perhaps the most reliable and economical energy sources globally. Out of all energy forms, it is the only source to have minimal environmental impact only when handled properly. Nuclear power plants do not emit harmful greenhouse gasses into the atmosphere. Various forms of animals and the species that are endangered can survive around the nuclear power plant. This is because neither the cooling water discharged from the nuclear power plant nor the emissions contain nuclear pollutants that are harmful to the environment. In addition, nuclear power plants have the potential to produce a huge amount of energy in a small space compared to another source of energy, so they require minimal land for operation. The fission of only one ton of a radioactive material can produce nearly forty-four million kilowatt-hours of electricity. For the same amount of energy to be produced, it will take nearly twenty thousand tons of coal to produce an equal amount of electricity. Both nuclear and coal-fired power plants are similar in ways of producing electricity. In both, their respective fuel sources are used to heat water to make steam. The steam produced is used in spinning turbines on generators to generate electricity. The enriched radioactive uranium or plutonium undergoes nuclear fission release energy used for heating water (Wheeler, 2008). The use of nuclear power as a source of energy bears numerous advantages over the use of fossil fuel in power plants. The fission of nuclear fuel releases huge amount of energy as compared to coal. This means that there will be a significant amount of mining operation taking place on the environment hence protecting it. Carbon dioxide is a major cause of greenhouse gas that is emitted from fossil fuel combustion. To produce one million kilowatt-hours of electricity using nuclear energy, a power plant using coal will emit nearly nine hundred and ninety-six metric tons of carbon dioxide. Similarly, an oil-fired power plant will emit approximately eight hundred and nine metric tons whereas a power plant using natural gas will release four hundred and seventy-six metric tons of carbon dioxide. In comparison, a nuclear energy powered plant will not release any carbon dioxide into the atmosphere. Air pollution is a major concern for fossil-fueled power plants. The gasses released such as nitrogen oxides and sulfur dioxides are responsible for effects such as acidic rains. Nuclear power plants emit no such pollutants into the atmosphere. In the year 2008, the use of nuclear materials, in producing energy, reduced the emission of nitrogen by one million tons and sulfur dioxide by nearly three million tons. Conclusion Radioactivity is the greatest concern of any power generating plant. In contrast to what many people tend to be believing, power generating plants using coals emits a hundred times more radiation into the atmosphere than a power generating plant using nuclear energy. Another concern of power generating plants is the solid waste materials. Since nuclear power plants have the potential of using relatively less amount of fuel materials, they lower the amount of waste materials produced significantly. A power plant powered by coal can produce approximately six hundred thousand tons of solid waste compared to two hundred and fifty tons produced by a nuclear power plant. The only concern with nuclear power plant solid waste is that they are highly radioactive and requires special care and disposal procedures to avoid any significant effect to the environment, animals, and people. Nuclear energy has the potential to produce a huge amount of energy in form of electricity that will supply every individual and industries without shortage. As a result, its ability to match the ever-increasing power demand indicates that nuclear energy is advantageous in regard to the amount of energy production. References European Nuclear Society. (2010). Nuclear power plants, world-wide. Retrieved from European Nuclear Society Web site: http://www.euronuclear.org/info/encyclopedia/n/nuclear- power-plant-world-wide.htm Nuclear Energy Institute. (2009, September). Nuclear Energy and the Environment. Retrieved fromhttp://www.nei.org/resourcesandstats/documentlibrary/protectingtheenvironment/fac tsheet/nuclearenergyandtheenvironment Wheeler, J.C. (2008). Nuclear power. Edina, MN: Abdo Publishing Company. Read More