Nuclear Power

One of the most important carbon-free source, the nuclear power has come a long way to become the strongest contender to replace fossil fuels as the primary source of energy for humans. Other than being carbon free, it is also regarded as the most efficient source among the various alternative energy sources. However, there do exist some problems in the process of development of nuclear energy, and these problems are severe enough to overshadow the advantages which the advocates of this power cite when claiming that this is the most efficient option we have.

What is Nuclear Power?

Nuclear power is basically the energy produced by carrying out nuclear reactions in controlled environment. In context of civilian use, this energy is predominantly used to generate electricity. (In context of military use, the same source is used to power naval vessels as well.) The phrase 'controlled environment' here refers to nuclear power plants, wherein the entire process in carried out, by taking the stipulated safety guidelines into consideration. In order to generate power, nuclear fission - a type of nuclear reaction, is carried out in these plants. In this nuclear reaction, a massive nucleus splits into smaller nuclei, with the simultaneous release of energy required to generate power. Going by the statistics compiled by the World Nuclear Association, approximately 16 percent of the electricity produced in the world today is attributed to nuclear energy, and the trend is expected to just get better with time.

How Does it Work?

Nuclear power plants are powered by radioactive elements, such as uranium or plutonium. The splitting of uranium atoms in the process of nuclear fission produces copious amount of energy. This energy is eventually converted to heat, and used to boil water in order to produce steam. The steam, in turn, is used to rotate the turbines. Rotation of turbines puts the generator into action by spinning its shaft. This makes the coil of wire inside the generator spin in the magnetic field, and produce electricity. The entire process takes place in the nuclear reactor, which maintains and controls the entire nuclear reaction process. There are different types of nuclear reactors, and the process involved differs slightly in each of them. For instance in pressurized water reactor, ordinary water is used as coolant, but in case of pressurized heavy water reactor, high pressure heavy water is used as coolant.

Advantages and Disadvantages

Like all the other sources of power, even nuclear power has some advantages and disadvantages of its own. These advantages and disadvantages have to be taken into consideration, when deciding whether nuclear power is the answer to fossil fuels or not.

Advantages of Nuclear Power

• More Power: The amount of energy produced by radioactive elements, like uranium, is much more than the amount of energy produced by fossil fuel or any other source of energy.
• Less Emissions: The process of nuclear fission doesn't emit any harmful gases like fossil fuels do, and this makes it one of the most environment friendly source of energy.
• Reliability: Fossil fuel deposits of the world are on the verge of exhaustion, but uranium deposits are found in abundance, and hence relying on nuclear power is not really a risk.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Power

• Radioactive Exposure: In the process of mining or extraction of uranium, and other such radioactive elements, the exposure to these elements is known to cause diseases like cancer and mutation.
• High Initial Cost: Though the power generation is quite cheap, the initial investment in setting up a nuclear plant is quite hefty.
• Waste Disposal Problems: The safe disposal of radioactive waste is yet another concern, as it can have a disastrous effect on the environment.
• Use for Malicious Purpose: There are significant chances that the nuclear fuel can be channelized for malicious purposes, such as manufacturing nuclear weapons of mass destruction, which can again result in harmful effects on mankind.

Nuclear power is indeed an efficient source of power in terms of amount of energy produced. However, the fatal effects of some nuclear power plant disasters have made several nations rethink their policies when it comes to development of the same.