Ecology Solutions - is nuclear power the answer?

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is not a futuristic energy technology like it was considered to be just a few years back. The developments in this field have been unimaginably rapid; nuclear energy is extensively harnessed for power generation worldwide and provides for about 16% of world's total electricity.

Nuclear energy is the energy contained in the nucleus of an atom; the bonds that hold atoms together possess an enormous amount of energy that has to be released under controlled environments to produce electricity.

This immense energy trapped in atoms can be released in two ways:
1. Nuclear Fission: Nuclear fission is a phenomenon by which large nuclei are split to produce further smaller atoms and in the process, energy is released.

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2. Nuclear Fusion: Nuclear fusion is a phenomenon in which smaller nuclei are fused to form a larger atom and during this process, energy is released. This is the type of nuclear reaction that takes place in the sun and the stars.

Nuclear fusion is believed to be more efficient and the process of power generation using nuclear fusion is feasible even though it is considered to be difficult. However, the nuclear fission process is the most extensively employed method of power generation in nuclear reactors.

The fuel used for modern nuclear reactors is Uranium. Uranium is available in abundance in the earth's crust, thus the fuel is comparatively modest in price. Uranium has to be mined and processed before it can be used as fuel rods.

Advantages:

The nuclear power holds great potential and has many benefits over other means of power generation. It is highly efficient and is capable of generating a lot of electricity, comparable to coal plants. It is also reliable and provides a constant supply of power as long as it is fuelled with enough Uranium. This feature sets it apart from other forms of alternative energies in that it does not depend on weather for functioning. It also does not emit any kind of greenhouse gases excessively.

Nuclear Power has its own set of disadvantages. The radioactive waste could prove highly dangerous as it lasts for a long time before decaying. The radiation could cause minor to major damages and even death to those exposed to it. Some reactors (breeder types) produce plutonium that can be used to make nuclear weapons. The nuclear plants are also supposedly the most expensive power generation plants and thus cannot be employed extensively to be used to its maximum levels.

Even thought nuclear power has its long list of disadvantages, it holds a lot of potential and harnessing it safely would help make it possible to be used in generating enormous quantities of power.