Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy is energy in uranium that can be released by nuclear reactions in a machine called a nuclear reactor. This energy is made into electricity, which then can be used to power machines and heat homes. In 2007, 14% of the world's electricity came from nuclear power. Nuclear power plants also make radioactive waste that could be harmful if it is not stored properly. Nuclar power plants produce less radioactive material than a coal fired powerstation.

How does nuclear energy generate electricity

In a nuclear-fueled power plant much like a fossil-fueled power plant water is turned into steam, which in turn drives turbine generators to produce electricity. The difference is the source of heat. At nuclear power plants, the heat to make the steam is created when uranium atoms split called fission.

A nuclear reactor produces and controls the release of energy from splitting the atoms of uranium.

Uranium-fuelled nuclear power is a clean and efficient way of boiling water to make steam which drives turbine generators. Except for the reactor itself, a nuclear power station works like most coal or gas-fired power stations.

Which country had started nuclear power plants

On June 27, 1954, the USSR's Obninsk Nuclear Power Plant became the world's first nuclear power plant to generate electricity for a power grid, and produced around 5 megawatts of electric power.

Where are the nuclear energy plants in india

Tarapur Atomic Power Station, Maharashtra

Rajasthan Atomic Power Station, Rajasthan

Kakrapar Atomic Power Station, Gujarat

Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy

Advantages of Nuclear Energy

1. Lower Greenhouse Gas Emissions

2. Powerful and Efficient

3. Reliable

4. Cheap Electricity

5. Low Fuel Cost

6. Supply

7. Easy Transportation

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy

1. Radioactive Waste

2. Nuclear Accidents

3. Nuclear Radiation

4. High Cost

5. National Risk

6. Impact on Aquatic Life

7. Major Impact on Human Life

8. Fuel Availability

9. Non Renewable

Is nuclear energy gaining popularity

A nuclear power phase-out is the discontinuation of usage of nuclear power for energy production. Often initiated because of concerns about nuclear power, phase-outs usually include shutting down nuclear power plants and looking towards fossil fuels and renewable energy.

Three nuclear accidents have influenced the discontinuation of nuclear power: the 1979 Three Mile Island partial nuclear meltdown in the United States, the 1986 Chernobyl disaster in the USSR, and the 2011 Fukushima nuclear disaster in Japan.

Sweden (1980) was the first country to begin a phase-out (influenced by the Three Mile Island accident), followed by Italy (1987), Belgium (1999), and Germany (2000). Austria and Spain have enacted laws to cease construction on new nuclear power stations. Several other European countries have debated phase-outs.

Germany has permanently shut down eight of its 17 reactors and pledged to close the rest by the end of 2022 As of 2013, countries such as Australia, Austria, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, Malta, Portugal, Israel, Malaysia, New Zealand, and Norway remain opposed to nuclear power. Germany and Switzerland are phasing-out nuclear power. Globally, more nuclear power reactors have closed than opened in recent years.