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Nuclear Energy
Nuclear power plants use nuclear fission to produce energy. In nuclear fission, the nuclei of atoms are split, causing energy to be released. The element uranium is the main fuel used to undergo nuclear fission to produce energy. A nuclear power plant, like other electricity producing power plants, simply boils water to produce steam, which turns turbines which produce electricity. The main difference is that with nuclear fission the heat generated from the fission heats the water instead of the water being heated by using oil, gas or coal.
In December 1951, an experimental reactor produced the first electric power from the atom, lighting four light bulbs. Nuclear energy has been used since 1953 to power U.S. navy vessels, and since 1955 to provide electricity for home use.
Today, nuclear power plants-the third largest source of electricity in the United States-supply about 20 percent of the nation's electricity each year.
In 2006 Vermont generated 75% of its electricity from nuclear energy, more than any other state. New Jersey and South Carolina generated more than half of their electricity from nuclear energy in 2006.
There has long been heated debate over the safety of using nuclear power. One of the advantages of nuclear energy is the power capacity; one ton of uranium produces more energy than is produced by several million tons of coal or several million barrels of oil. Also in a well-run nuclear power plant there are virtually no contaminates released into the environment. The disadvantages of nuclear power are well known. The word "nuclear" brings images of disaster to many minds. The long lasting nuclear radioactive waste produced is also a disadvantage when it comes to proper disposal. There are also national security issues with disposed nuclear waste. Recent advances in nuclear technology have lead to more efficient use of nuclear fuel, greatly reduced radioactive half-life of nuclear waste, and containment technologies to prevent weaponization and accidental environmental contamination from waste.
The energy producing power of nuclear technology is impressive, for example the Palo Verde Nuclear Generating Station in Arizona generates more electricity annually than any other U.S. power plant of any kind, including coal, oil, natural gas and hydro. As of May 2007, 30 countries worldwide were operating 436 nuclear plants for electricity generation. Thirty-one new nuclear plants were under construction in 12 countries. Nuclear power provides France, Lithuania, Slovakia and Belgium more than half of their energy followed closely by Sweden and Ukraine. Sixteen countries rely on nuclear energy to supply at least 25% of their energy.
Nuclear energy is sure to continue to play a part in a clean energy future. Issues need to be worked out including waste disposal and general acceptance of nuclear energy among the people.
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