Justin Goerke
NUCLEAR
ENERGY
Switzerland Nuclear Power Station - by Night
One of the major requirements for sustaining human progress is an adequate source of energy. The
current largest sources of energy are the combustion of coal, oil and natural gas. These are
discussed in the main page on energy. These sources of energy will only last for a short time but will surely run out or become
harmful in tens to hundreds of years. Solar energy will work but is not considerably developed yet
except for special applications because of its high cost. This high cost as a main source, e.g. for
central station electricity, is likely to continue, and nuclear energy is likely to remain inexpensive.
URANIUM -(Australia's Nuclear Involvement)
In the last forty years uranium has become one of the world's most important energy
minerals. It is used almost entirely for making electricity, though a small proportion is
used for the important task of producing medical isotopes. Among uranium exporting countries Australia has some of the
strictest conditions relating to the use of its uranium. These
safeguards seek to ensure that uranium exported from Australia is
used for peaceful purposes only and is not diverted for military
purposes or used in a way which adds to the proliferation of nuclear
weapons.
Australia is now one of the world's major producers and exporters of uranium. In addition
to providing further diversification and strength to the domestic economy it gives us a
voice in the framing of international nuclear policies and safeguards. It also reduces the
need for buyers to seek uranium from countries with less effective safeguards.
Instances of the nuclear fuel "Uranium" throughout Australia
ENVIRONMENTAL EFFECTS OF NUCLEAR POWER
As a result of the ever growing nuclear energy stations, the amount of carbon dioxide -
a major greenhouse gas - released into the atmosphere by
the USA's electric utilities was reduced by 2 billion
tons. In 1996 alone, U.S. nuclear power plants prevented
the discharge of 147 million tons of carbon.
But the USA isn't the only beneficial country of nuclear power.
The increased reliance on nuclear energy throughout the world has contributed to a
cleaner, healthier environment for everyone. In 1994, the 432 nuclear power plants
in the world were responsible for keeping 466 million tons of carbon dioxide out of
the atmosphere, along with seven million tons of nitrogen oxide and 15 million tons
of sulfur dioxide.
Since 1973, they have reduced worldwide emissions of carbon
more than 6 billion metric tons, sulfur dioxide emissions by 203 metric tons, and
nitrogen oxide emissions by 91 million metric tons. Those countries that rely on
nuclear energy for most of their electricity have enjoyed even greater
environmental benefits. France, for example, which generates about 75 percent of
its electricity from nuclear energy, has cut its average carbon dioxide emissions
nearly in half since 1973.
The Nuclear Energy HELP towards Carbon Dioxide Emissions.
BENEFITS OF NUCLEAR ENERGY
The following list of benefits was complied from the American - Nuclear Energy Institute :
Because nuclear power plants do not burn anything, they are non-polluting and
kind to the environment. Unlike coal-, gas- and oil-fired power plants, nuclear
power plants do not emit carbon dioxide and other harmful greenhouse gases into
the atmosphere.
Nuclear energy also gives the world a diversity of fuel sources for meeting its
electricity needs. By not putting all of our energy eggs in one basket, the world can
keep a reliable supply of electricity flowing to homes and businesses despite
interruptions in fuel supplies caused by weather conditions and natural disasters, or
by international events and economic fluctuations. Since the Arab oil embargo of
1973, nuclear energy has displaced the need for more than 2.3 billion barrels of oil
at an estimated cost of $53 billion, giving countries using nuclear energy greater energy security and
economic strength. Not only does nuclear energy keep a countries dollars at home, it
keeps the country at work, with an estimated 400,000 people employed in
nuclear-related jobs for America alone.
BENEFITS IN AMERICA
Through continuing research and innovation, America's technological leadership
in the nuclear industry is unmatched anywhere in the world today. Maintaining that
leadership position not only benefits its society today, but also will create
opportunities for their children. By providing their society with a reliable, economical
and clean supply of electricity, nuclear energy offers America the opportunity for
sustainable growth for future generations.
GRAPHICAL OUTLINE OF NUCLEAR POWER GENERATION
This is only a small preview of the picture.....
Please click on the picture to see it in FULL SIZE.
SAFETY - HOW THE U.S.A. DEALS WITH IT
How safe are nuclear power plants? They do, after all, contain radioactive
materials — the stuff left over after uranium atoms are split to create heat to
generate electricity. To prevent any harmful release of radiation into the
environment, U.S. nuclear power plants follow a philosophy of "safety in depth."
This philosophy begins with the design of nuclear plants, which takes advantage of
the laws of nature and incorporates backup safety systems and protective barriers,
including a thick steel and concrete containment building. For example, it is
physically impossible for a nuclear power plant to explode because of the low
concentration of fissionable uranium 235 in the fuel. The philosophy is carried
forward in plant operations through extensive and continuous training of plant
personnel.
An additional level of safety is provided through plant regulation by the Nuclear
Regulatory Commission, an independent federal agency. As a result of this
safety-in-depth philosophy, even the 1979 Three Mile Island accident—the only
major accident in the history of U.S. commercial nuclear energy—caused no
injuries, deaths or discernible direct health effects to the population in the vicinity
of the plant. The 1986 Chernobyl accident in the former Soviet Union was in part
the product of a badly flawed plant reactor design which never would have been
licensed in the United States.
The nuclear industry exercises the same degree of vigilance for safety in its
handling, transportation and disposal of the relatively small and manageable
amounts of high-level waste and low-level waste produced at nuclear power
plants.
Nuclear Waste - The Answer is YES - As long as care is taken !
A NUCLEAR FUTURE ?
Nuclear power is a adequate solution to the energy problem. Renewable energy sources
like wind, oceans, water, incineration and sun are not enough to cover the non-renewable resources
of which the world will run out approximately within 50 to 100 years. According to Bernard Cohen (Professor of Physics at Pittsburgh University),
by combining the sun and nuclear power we will have enough energy for several billion years. For
example in the Far East search for new energy sources in Israel, it has resulted in many projects and
researches. Those efforts have proven the fact that nuclear power is essential as a energy source
especially in the future.
REFERENCES