Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy - Essay Example

Nuclear Energy: Advantages and disadvantages. Nuclear Energy: Advantages and disadvantages. Introduction Nuclear energy is simply the energy originating from the splitting of uranium atom through fission process. Note that an atom is a basic building unit of matter consisting of a nucleus containing positively charged protons as well as neutral neutrons and is surrounded by electrons which are negatively charged. Nuclear fission on the other hand simply refers to nuclear reaction or radioactive decay taking place in the nuclear reactor or plant. (webstinghouse, 2014). The next question is how does it work exactly? You will have to agree with me that nuclear energy is actually produced from the fission process of uranium atom in the power plant. Having a look at the whole process, which starts with nuclear plant producing certain energy to be identified next. In the nuclear energy-based facility, heat results from atom splitting through fission. The heat produced is utilized to produce steam which then turn a turbine actually connected to a generator. The generator there after produces electricity or electric energy. Note that the nuclear reactors are enriched abundantly and naturally occurring radioactive uranium element. In addition, as this element undergoes radioactivity or simply decay, it can as well produce heat inside the reactor. The uranium element consists of fuel pellets in the inside which are released in the form of energy either through kinetic energy or to some extend through radiation. This actually is the resulting heat energy produced in the reactors, which is then used to produce steam and finally electricity. (ENEC, 2011) Retrieved from: http://www.enec.gov.ae/learn-about-nuclear-energy/how-does-nuclear-energy-work/ Since the discovery of nuclear as a source of energy, the following nations have actually utilized the opportunity and today they widely apply the use of nuclear energy to produce electricity. They include; United States, Russia, France, South Korea, China, Germany, Canada, Ukraine, Sweden, United Kingdom, Spain, Belgium, India, Switzerland, Czech Republic, Finland and Japan. The adoption of nuclear energy by the mentioned countries proves both desirable and undesirable in the sense that despite the advantages associated with it such as being cheap, carbon free and effective form of energy, it also comes with disadvantages and disasters to the environment and safety threats if not well managed. (Jacobs, 2014) Now, some of the benefits that arise from the use of nuclear energy to other sources are as discussed below. The use of nuclear energy has to begin with lower carbon dioxide gas emission to the atmosphere during electricity generation as compared to other sources of energy. This help in reducing greenhouse effect which in turn reduces global warming. This consequently means a habitat, wildlife, and land are well preserved, clean water is maintained and thus a safe environment. In addition, reduced climatic change influences on the Earth’s atmosphere has resulted to clean air taken in by the world’s population, hence reduced indoor pollution instances, reduced diseases, and death cases (Hore-Lacy, 2010). Secondly, nuclear energy is relatively cheap to produce. This due to the relatively lower cost of operating nuclear plant though the initial cost of having a nuclear plant set is expensive. Fuel cost in a nuclear plant has really placed nuclear plant ahead in cost effectiveness as compared with the other sources. This actually implies that with very limited fuel available for the nuclear plants, very large volumes of fuels are produced. This therefore, helps save on the cost of raw materials and transportation cost of such raw materials. The handling cost of such materials as well as the extraction cost of the fuel from nuclear materials are reduced. ((WNA), 2014) Thirdly, nuclear energy is readily available, hence more reliable energy source. Being that nuclear energy is well known to the people since it is developed by the people themselves through technology, and is not affected by weather and economic changes, it therefore proves that reliable and continuous electric energy is assured. The continuous production of electricity made possible by nuclear energy helps in reducing price uncertainty issues which exist in other energy sources, for instance petroleum. This in turn ensures ready electricity for the market (Chowdhury, 2012). Fourthly, nuclear energy has the capacity to produce large power volumes for the market needs. This implies its ability to meet both the industry and domestic market needs or requirement for energy. This gives nuclear energy advantage over other sources, for instance, solar which are only desirable for limited uses as opposed to large or heavy uses. Finally, nuclear energy promises the possibility of future nuclear proper management through recycling and re-use. This helps in nuclear waste reduction though at an added cost. It consequently will result into a more healthy and safe environment, hence creating more opportunities for the people as well. Just to conclude this, having seen how essential the merits and benefits arising from embracing nuclear energy as a major source of electricity as compared to other sources, it is therefore, important that we encourage the other states to follow suit as soon as possible so that the negative impact of other sources of energy are reduced worldwide. This in turn will ensure a healthy environment and life on the planet. (Buzz, 2009) Recall that all that proves beneficial under normal circumstances must as well possess some little disadvantages. We now take a look at the cons of the nuclear energy and its operation. Some of these includes: Firstly, the use of nuclear energy is prone to accidents which proves fatal on occurrence. Despite the adoption of certain measures to reduce the risks of accidents and measures to reduce the volumes of leakages of radioactive elements from the reactors, still there are numerous instances of such accidents. These accidents results into severe human health and environmental problems. Secondly, the possible use of nuclear weapons in defense also has a greater negative impact on the planet’s population. The extreme heat produced from such weapons are actually very dangerous to human tissues, besides burning and collapsing of buildings and flammable objects. This intense heat can be observed even over a very wide diameter, this would imply even objects further away from the point of launch will feel the effect (Kanter, 2009). Thirdly, nuclear wastes generation proves hard to control and manage and takes very long to lose their radioactivity. This actually means prolonged environmental contamination thus increasing the cost of health maintenance for miners and the society at large. When disposed on land near water, possibilities are ground water are contaminated. This effect will ultimately affects human health that depends on the water for consumptions. In addition, shipping of nuclear wastes across nations also imposes security threats, as it make it possible for terrorists to launch nuclear attack since they prove favorable for terrorist organizations. Next, nuclear energy has led to increased maintenance cost due to expiry of the nuclear plants. Bearing in mind how expensive the initial cost of setting up a nuclear plant, it would therefore, mean that the process is repeated by the concerned firm after every expiry dates. Ultimately there will be high maintenance cost. Another disadvantage of nuclear energy is that nuclear energy creates external dependency on the technology by other countries which lacks it. This actually means that such countries have to hire such resources from abroad which may lead to serious crisis in hiring countries when their suppliers withdraws. Finally, nuclear energy is non-renewable. It produces a lot of risky wastes byproducts and depend heavily on the uranium extraction firms. Thus is only limited to the amount of exhaustible uranium available. Just to conclude on this issues, it is therefore, very important to ensure much effective measures in handling of nuclear energy in order to reduce the negative impacts that comes along with the use of nuclear energy. (Buzz, 2009) Worldwide, there are instances of nuclear energy-related problems in some nations. A better example is what actually happened in Japan’s Fukushima nuclear power in 2011 which left a giant disaster which is still being felt up to date. Another instances are the Chernobyl disaster of 1986, the Morocco’s radiation accidents among others. (Hancocks, 2013). In summary, the effects of nuclear energy are so severe and extremely dangerous on human health as well as the environment. It therefore, calls for the proper handling so that these instances in Japan and Morocco don’t reoccur in other parts of the world. In conclusion therefore, it is vividly clear from above that despite the very interesting benefits we gain from adopting nuclear energy as the main source of energy worldwide, such as being cheap, reliable or readily available for the market, and environmentally clean as compared to other generating sources, it also comes along with risks and security threats which actually calls for proper handling frame-work. Such frame-works would help eliminate if possible though to greater extend reduce the risks such as security threats, health threats and accidents on the population and thus in turn will ensure the creation and emergence of safe environments as the world continue to benefit from the nuclear energy as source of electric energy. Think about it, because it begins at an individual level and consequently to the global society at large. References (WNA), W. N. A., 2014. The Economics of Nuclear Power, s.l.: World Nuclear Association. Buzz, P., 2009. Nuclear Energy: Pros and Cons. TriplePundit, Monday 23rd February. Chowdhury, N., 2012. Is Nuclear Energy Renewable Energy?, s.l.: Stanford University. ENEC, 2011. How Does Nuclear Energy Works?. In: s.l.:Emirates Nuclear Energy Corporation. Hancocks, P., 2013. CNN. 7th November. Hore-Lacy, I., 2010. Nuclear Energy in the 21st Century: World Nuclear University Press. s.l.:Academic Press. Jacobs, H., 2014. The 17 Countries Generating The Most Nuclear Power. Business Insider. Kanter, J., 2009. Is Nuclear Power Renewable?. The New York Times, 3rd August. webstinghouse, 2014. what is nuclear energy?. In: s.l.:Westinghouse Electric Company LLC. Read More