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[October thematic report]-Pros and cons of nuclear power

by Intqam Huseynov | 08-10-2022 01:52 recommendations 3

                           NUCLEAR 
Nuclear energy is the energy released as a result of a chain reaction, especially when nuclear fission or meltdown takes place in a reactor. The fuel source used to generate nuclear power is mined and processed uranium (enriched uranium), which is used to generate steam and generate electricity. As of today, nuclear power is considered one of the most environmentally friendly energy sources as it produces less greenhouse gas emissions during electricity generation than traditional sources such as coal-fired power plants.
Nuclear fission is a process used in nuclear reactors to produce high amounts of energy using an element called uranium. It is the energy stored in the nucleus of an atom.
While being environmentally friendly is a major advantage of nuclear power, disposing of radioactive waste and protecting people and the environment from radiation is a major consequence of nuclear power. Therefore, expensive solutions are needed to protect the world from the destructive effects of nuclear energy.When we think of this source, many of us think of nuclear bombs or the meltdowns that have occurred at a number of nuclear power plants around the world. That being said, nuclear power is one type of renewable energy we should definitely look at. In this article, we will examine the pros and cons of nuclear power.
Advantages (advantages) of nuclear energy
 1. Low Pollution
 Nuclear power also has less greenhouse emissions. Due to the spread of the use of nuclear energy, the number of greenhouse gases has been determined to be reduced by about half. This prevents more than 470 million metric tons of carbon each year, the equivalent of taking 100 million cars off the road. Thermal energy from nuclear reactors can also be used to decarbonize other energy-intensive sectors, such as transportation, which is the largest contributor to carbon pollution. Nuclear energy has the least impact on nature because it does not emit gases such as methane and carbon dioxide, which are the main "greenhouse gases". There is no negative impact on water, land or any area due to the use of nuclear energy, except when it is used for transport.The World Nuclear Association, a nuclear advocacy group, found that average emissions for nuclear are 29 tons of CO2 per gigawatt-hour (GWh) of energy production. This is comparable to renewables such as solar (85 tonnes per GWh) and wind (26 tonnes per GWh) and even more fossil fuels such as lignite (1,054 tonnes per GWh) and coal (888 tonnes per GWh).

 2. High Power Output
 The fuel to power ratio for nuclear power is incredibly high. It has the capacity to supply urban and industrial needs with a single reactor, while releasing more than one. A relatively small amount of uranium could be used to power a 1,000 MW power plant, thus providing electricity to a city of about half a million people.Renewable sources such as solar and wind only provide enough energy to meet residential and office needs. They do not yet have the nuclear power to meet large-scale energy needs, especially in the manufacturing world.
3.Fixed Base Load Power
 Nuclear power plants provide a stable energy load. Nuclear power is widely used in America and accounts for about 20% of all electricity produced in the United States. This efficient source of energy comes from 98 nuclear power reactors located in 30 different states of the United States.See also What Are Nuclear Waste Disposal Methods? The stable energy production generated by nuclear power plants means that it can ideally be used in combination with other forms of renewable energy. For example, when the wind blows, nuclear plants can adjust their power output to a lower level. Conversely, when the wind is not blowing and more power is needed, nuclear power can be adjusted to compensate for the lack of wind (or solar) generated power.
 4. Low Operating Costs
 Nuclear power produces very cheap electricity and is cheaper than gas, coal or any other fossil fuel plant. The cost of uranium used as fuel in this process is low and very little is needed to produce large amounts of power. Also, although the construction costs of nuclear power plants are moderately high, their operating costs are quite low.
 Even factoring in costs such as nuclear power plant management and disposal of radioactive fuel, it is estimated to be between 33-50 percent of a coal plant and 20-25 percent of a gas-fired combined cycle plant.
 The normal life of a nuclear reactor varies between 40 and 60 years, depending on how much it is used and how it is used. These variables, when consolidated, reduce energy supply costs. Even if the price of uranium rises, the impact on energy costs will be so low.
 The US Department of Energy (DOE) estimates that replacing a 1 GW nuclear plant would require 2 GW of coal or 3 GW to 4 GW of renewable energy to produce the same amount of electricity. Also, the impact on the cost of electricity will be lower.
 5. Reliability
 According to estimates, we have enough uranium for 70-80 years at today's rate of uranium consumption. A nuclear power plant in power production mode can work for a year or more without interruption and without maintenance, which makes it a more reliable energy source. As solar and wind power are weather dependent, nuclear power plant has no such limitation and can operate continuously in any climate. A consistent criticism of renewable energies, such as wind and solar power, is that they only produce power when the wind blows or the sun shines. There are definitely money centers in building nuclear power plants and using nuclear energy instead of conventional energy. It is one of the important sources of power throughout the country.The best part is that this energy has a continuous source. It is widely available, has plenty of storage space, and is believed to last much longer than fossil fuels using the same capacity.
 6. More Efficient Than Fossil Fuels
 Another main point of interest in using nuclear energy is that it is more attractive and more experienced than other energy sources. A number of nuclear power innovations have made it a more viable option than others.
 They have a high energy density compared to fossil fuels. The amount of fuel required by a nuclear power plant is less than that of other nuclear power plants because the energy produced by nuclear fission is about ten million times greater than the energy released by a fossil fuel atom.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy

 1. Environmental Impact
One of the biggest problems is the impact of uranium on the environment. The process of mining and processing uranium was not clean. In fact, the transportation of nuclear fuel to plants is related to the danger of contamination. Also, after the fuel is used, you cannot take it to the landfill - it is radioactive and dangerous.
 2. Disposal of radioactive waste
 A typical nuclear power plant generates 20 metric tons of nuclear fuel per year, and with that comes a lot of nuclear waste. If you look at every nuclear facility on Earth, you'll find that number rises to about 2,000 metric tons per year.Much of this waste transmits radiation and high temperatures that will inevitably eat away at any unit that captures it. It can also harm the living things in and around the plants. Nuclear power plants generate very low levels of radioactive waste, such as transmitted parts and supplies. Over time, spent nuclear fuel decays to safe radioactive levels, but this takes countless years. Even low-level radioactive waste takes hundreds of years to become sufficiently safe.Anti-nuclear environmental group Greenpeace released a report in January 2019 detailing what they called nuclear waste a "crisis" with "no solution on the horizon." which began to open and potentially release radioactive material.
3. Nuclear accidents
 The accident at Three Mile Island in 1979, followed by the Chernobyl accident at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine on April 26, 1986, was the worst nuclear accident in history. More recently, there was another accident in 2011 in Fukushima, Japan. Although the losses were not so high, they caused serious environmental concerns. Its harmful effects on humans and the environment can still be seen today.
 Despite all the safety measures at these nuclear plants, various factors caused them to melt down with devastating effects on the environment and local residents who were forced to leave the affected areas. Produced radioactive waste can cause serious damage to both human life and the environment.Currently, the biggest environmental threat to the Middle East is the Metsamor nuclear power plant. The country's indifference to this problem is too much for humanity will cause great disasters. It should be noted that this station is currently in an emergency condition . 
 4. High Price
 The initial costs of building a nuclear power plant are steep. Estimates for a recent US virtual test reactor have risen from $3.5 billion to $6 billion, in addition to huge additional costs to maintain the facility. South Africa has scrapped plans to add 9.6GW of nuclear power to its energy mix at an estimated cost of between $34 billion and $84 billion.
 Research See Research For Arctic Warming Is InevitableCurrently, nuclear processing allows the waste to cool for a long time before mixing it with glass and placing it in very large chilled, solid structures. These wastes must be stored, observed and tracked so that the materials do not fall into the wrong hands and cause problems.These controls and inputs can make the investment even more undesirable, in addition to the cash and high costs required to build a plant. It requires permission from several international bodies and is opposed by ordinary people. that region.
 Nuclear plants are cheap to operate and produce cheap fuel, but the initial costs are huge.
 5. Uranus is finite
 Typical renewable energy sources such as solar and wind are in infinite supply. Nuclear power is not a renewable fuel source. Like other fuel sources, uranium is finite and available in few countries. Although uranium is currently abundant, it is in limited supply. There is still a risk of burnout at the end.
Uranium must be mined, synthesized, and then activated to produce energy, and this process is very expensive to go through. All these activities generate a considerable amount of waste and if not used properly can cause serious environmental pollution and health effects.
 6. Hot Target for Militants
 Nuclear energy has great power. Today, nuclear energy is used in the production of weapons. If these weapons fall into the wrong hands, it could be the end of the world. Nuclear power plants are prime targets for terrorist activities. A small lapse in security can be cruel to mankind.

 
"Metsamor" station in an accident condition.. (Armenia)

IntqamHuseynov

  • Azerbaijan Former E-gen Ambassador Intqam Huseynov
 
 
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2 Comments

Minkyung Mentor

  • Minkyung Mentor says :
    Hello, this is your mentor Minkyung.

    Thank you for enumerating both the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy. I could gain a balanced view of nuclear energy. As you mentioned, although nuclear energy is considered as a type of renewable energy, ironically, it also has a chance of polluting the environment in another way. So I think we should keep on the research and development on the more practical use of nuclear energy.

    Great kob writing this month's thematic report :)
    Posted 18-10-2022 14:19

  • Junghyun Mentor Yoon says :
    Hi, Intqam Huseynov!
    This is your mentor, Yoon.

    Thank you for introducing the ups and downs of nuclear power. Your report is well-organized with subtitles and numbers. Your report is more intuitive with the photo you attached.

    However, if the photo was not taken by you, please add a reference of the photo in your report.

    Excellent job on writing the thematic report!
    I am looking forward to reading your following report!
    Posted 08-10-2022 16:09

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