Nuclear Power Team 2 Leann Baer, Zach Rodgers, Megan Gershey

Fission vs. Fusion

Life Cycle

Then and Now  1954: USSR’s Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant  Nuclear capacity started at 1 GW (gigawatt) and quickly rose to 100 GW in the late 1970’s.  In the1980’s, nuclear power increased much more slowly  In 2007, 14% of the world's electricity came from nuclear power, despite concerns about safety.  63 nuclear units were cancelled in the USA between 1975 and 1980.

Replacement

Can energy production from nuclear energy be enhanced in areas already producing it?

Ability to enhance nuclear power overall Can energy production from nuclear energy be enhanced in areas already producing it?  new ore discoveries and advanced mining techniques could increase the production of nuclear energy  even though other countries have the potential to increase nuclear power, over 80% of the future’s nuclear power will come from countries already using nuclear power  currently producing countries such as Japan, the United States, and France have the potential to use much more nuclear power than before  capacity for nuclear power for already-producing countries in 2008 was 367 GW, but could increase to 9137 GW by 2100

Ability to enhance nuclear power overall  Can energy production from nuclear energy be developed in those areas where it has not yet been developed?  New ore discoveries and advanced mining techniques could increase the production of nuclear energy  Countries currently uninvolved in nuclear power have the potential to generate 999 GW by 2100

Environmental Issues  What environmental problems does nuclear energy pose? Are those problems real or exaggerated?  overall, it is clean energy  nuclear energy doesn’t produce carbon dioxide or give off other greenhouse gases  little waste is produced  the waste that is produced is highly dangerous and radioactive  must be stored away  when buried underground, it causes damage to the surrounding environment and the inhabitants  must be kept away from earthquakes and floods

Social/Political Problems  High initial investment cost –somewhere between $6 and $9billion.  Uranium has to be mined.  Only 3% of uranium is used out of the rods used to power the reactors.  At current consumption rates the minable uranium will last only 100 more years.  2/3 of energy produced goes off as waste heat.  Droughts can pose a problem, because reactors need lots of water for cooling.

Social/Political Problems  A nuclear power plant produces 3 cubic meters of spent fuel each year.  The spent fuel contains actinides which remain radioactive for a long time.  We do not have a way of disposing of radioactive waste.  There is a continuous threat of radioactive contamination.  A nuclear power plant could have a meltdown, which is when fuel rods overheat and basically melt down and contaminate everything.

Laws and Regulations  The U.S. environmental protection agency is concerned with the amount of radioactive waste that is produced. (50,000) metric tons as of 2007)  The U.S. Department of Energy has a program that promotes secure, competitive, and environmentally responsible nuclear technologies to serve the present and future needs of the United States and the world.  The U.S. Nuclear Regulatory Commission also regulates nuclear energy in the United States, and promotes nuclear security.  There are lots of other organizations that promote safe nuclear practices such as the American Nuclear Society, Canadian Nuclear Society, etc.  Organizations such as the World Nuclear Association, World Nuclear University, and World Nuclear News, help research and educate people on nuclear energy. As well as promoting safe nuclear practices.

Questions?