Nuclear Energy

Caroline Moran & Allison McGehee

What is Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear energy is the energy that is released when a uranium atom is split inside
a reactor (this process is called nuclear fission). The heat produced is then used
to produce steam which spins turbines to generate energy.
After a full cycle (18-24 months), the nuclear wastes have to be disposed of
Produced 12.3% of the worlds power as of 2012
Produced 19% of the United States power as of 2012

Considered a nonrenewable resource

Maintain an efficiency rate of 91%

A PWR (Pressurized Water Reactor)

The History of Nuclear Energy

1895-1945 The research involving
atomic radiation, atomic change,
and nuclear fission developed
1939-1945 Research is focused on
the atomic bomb
1945 Research turned to
harnessing energy and using it for
naval propulsion
1956 and onward, Technological
evolution of nuclear power plants
begins

Future/Innovations
of Nuclear Energy
Nuclear reactors have only had their
designs tweaked bit by bit since the
beginning of nuclear energy production.
Recently, there have been plans to
switch over to using thorium because it
is more eco-friendly and reliable than
uranium
India, Norway, & China are all working on
facilities to support thorium

Canada is designing a system that uses

thorium and another system that
recycles uranium and uses it again.

Nuclear Disasters

INES Scale

Chernobyl considered the worst

nuclear accident in history according
to how much envirometnal and
health problems it caused

Incident

Takes into account the effects on

people & the environment,
radiological barriers & control, &
defense in depth.

Accident

The International Nuclear &

Radiological Event Scale (INES)

Level

Description

Real-Life Ex.

Major
Accident

Chernobyl,
Ukraine

Serious
Accident

Kyshtym,
Russia

Acc. w/ wider
consequences

Windscale
Pile, UK

Acc. w/ local
consequences

Tokaimura,
Japan

Serious
Incident

Vandellos,
Spain

Incident

Forsmark,
Sweden

Anomaly

Pros

Cons

Nuclear

Can produce electricity Radioactive wastes

continuously for
Major accidents
months at a time
Less fuel used to
generate electricity
Little to no
Greenhouse gas
emissions

Fossil Fuels

Reliable for energy

over long periods of
time

Hydroelectric

A renewable resource Sites suitable for dams

Dont produce as much
are limited
pollution
Droughts and flooding
Little to no
effect production
Greenhouse gas
emissions

Produce large amounts

of Carbon Dioxide
Produce sulphurous
oxides
Nonrenewable
resource

Fun Facts!
A single uranium fuel pellet contains as much energy as 149 gallons of oil,
480 m^3 of natural gas, or 807 kilograms of coal.
The worlds first nuclear reactor naturally occurred in 2 billion years ago in a
deposit of uranium (moderated by a steady shower of water, occurred in what is
now Gabon, Africa)

Citations
FAQ About Nuclear Energy. (2014, January 1). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from
http://www.nei.org/Knowledge-Center/FAQ-About-Nuclear-Energy
WNA. (2014, January 1). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://www.world-nuclear.org/
International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA)IAEA Home. (n.d.). Retrieved November 6, 2014,
from http://www.iaea.org/OurWork/
Pierobon, J. (2013, October 30). Does Thorium Deserve a Role in Next-Generation Nuclear
Energy? Retrieved November 6, 2014, from
http://theenergycollective.com/jimpierobon/295261/does-thorium-deserve-role-next-generationnuclear-power
How Do Nuclear Plants Work? (2014, January 1). Retrieved November 6, 2014, from
http://www.duke-energy.com/about-energy/generating-electricity/nuclear-how.asp
Perlman, H. (2014, March 17). Advantages of Hydroelectric Power Production and Usage.
Retrieved November 6, 2014, from http://water.usgs.gov/edu/hydroadvantages.html