Exploring Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Fusion and Fission  Nuclear Fusion Small nuclei into large Immense temperature and pressure Core of stars Iron is the “dead end” of both fusion and fission – it is the lowest energy nucleus and cannot be split or fused.  Nuclear Fission Large nuclei into small Critical mass to sustain Two isotopes we use

Global Total Primary Energy Supply, 2011 Nuclear provides about 5% of total energy and 11.7% of global electricity generation. Data: International Energy Agency

Top 10 Nuclear Generating Countries Data: Energy Information Administration The NEED Project

U.S. Primary Energy Consumption Source and Sector, 2010 (Quadrillion Btu) The NEED Project Data: Energy Information Administration

U.S. Electricity Production 2011 The NEED Project Data provided by US EIA Net Generation by Energy Source

U.S. Electricity Flow The NEED Project Data: Energy Information Administration U.S. Electricity Flow, 2011 (Quadrillion Btu)

Nuclear Energy Production VT- 73.3% CT-50.3% SC-49.9% NJ-49.9% NH-49.1% IL-47.8% VA-36.3% PA-33.8% TN-33.4% MD-32.1% NC-31.7% NE-30.9% NY-30.6% AZ-27.9% MI-26.3% AL-25% MN-25% AR-24.7% GA-24.3% WI-20.6% KS-19.7% LA-18.2% MS-17.7% CA-15.9% MA-13.8% OH-11% FL-10.5% TX-10.1% MO-9.7% WA-9.1% IA-7.8% Percent of Electricity Generated by Nuclear Power Data: Nuclear Energy Institute

Anatomy of a Nuclear Power Plant

Advantages of Nuclear Power  Clean  Plentiful Supply  High energy content in uranium Small fuel pellet Can provide base load power Energy savings in transportation  Operating cost is low after construction The NEED Project

Drawbacks to Using Nuclear Power  Initial construction costs  Radioactive waste byproduct  Storage  Natural disasters  Public perception The NEED Project

New Nuclear Technologies  Modular, small-scale reactors  Breeder reactors  The NEED Project Image courtesy of Department of Energy

Food for thought… Of the 15 methods (wedges) proposed by a Princeton University study to stabilize Carbon Dioxide emissions, 13 of them relate energy use. Implementation of any 7 would accomplish the goal of stabilizing emissions. 1. Efficient vehicles 2. Reduced use of vehicles 3. Efficient buildings 4. Efficient coal power plants 5. Gas instead of coal power plants 6. Capture CO 2 at base load power plant 7. Nuclear power for coal power 8. Wind power for coal power 9. Photovoltaic power for coal power 10. Capture CO 2 at H 2 plant 11. Capture CO 2 at coal-to-synfuels plant 12. Wind H 2 in fuel-cell car for gasoline in hybrid car 13. Biomass fuel for fossil fuel The NEED Project

For More Information The NEED Project Energy Information Administration U.S. Department of Energy The NEED Project