Nuclear Energy

Overview

Nuclear power is a clean and efficient energy prodcution that involves boiling water to make steam, which then turns turbines to produce electricity. 

Nuclear power plants use uranium fuel to produce electricity through fission, a process involving the splitting of uranium atoms in a reactor. Uranium fuel consists of small pellets, slightly larger than a pencil eraser. But a single pellet contains the same energy as a ton of coal, 3 barrels of oil, or 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas. Furthermore, each pellet can provide up to five years of heat for a home. You might think that such a powerful energy resource is likely rare; however, uranium is one of the world’s most abundant metals.

Benefits

Nuclear power offers several benefits for the environment Because power plants don’t burn any materials, they produce no greenhouse gases. Additionally, nuclear plants help protect air quality and alleviate the effects of climate change.

No other energy producers can compete with nuclear when it comes to efficiency and reliability. Unlike wind, solar, and other prevalent renewable energy sources, nuclear power plants can generate large-scale, 24/7 electricity for many months at a time.

Current Use

Currently, nuclear power provides 20% of the electricity in the US and 10% worldwide. Many countries, like France, have seen the benefits of using nuclear power and now generate over 70% of their electricity from it. As a result, its carbon density is well below other developed nations.