Advantages and disadvantage of nuclear energy

I'll be up front - I'm not a fan of nuclear power as a solution to reducing electricity related greenhouse gas emissions. I doubt I ever will be. While some of my reservations have to do with the period of time I grew up in; and Chernobyl type incidents aside - it's still not as environmentally friendly as renewable energy options such as solar power. I'm not totally against nuclear energy, I just prefer the closest nuclear reactor being 93 million miles away (the sun).

Regardless, nuclear energy does have some very attractive attributes in a world becoming increasingly conscious of peak oil and climate change.

How does nuclear power work?

Essentially, nuclear power seems quite simple. Nuclear fission heats water to generate steam, the steam turns turbines connected to a generator which in turn produces electrical power.

Nuclear fission is the splitting of atoms, a process in which a great deal of energy in the form of heat is produced. Where things get complex are the controls and resources needed to keep the fission reaction safe.

Advantages of nuclear energy

- The actual generation of electricity using nuclear energy involves little in the way of carbon emissions.

- A single nuclear power plant can generate a huge amount of electricity.

- Running costs are low.

- Nuclear reactors have a long life span.

- Fuel appears to be abundant; however this is hotly debated.

Disadvantages of nuclear power

Mining

While generation of power is comparatively low emissions; mining for the uranium is not. Uranium mining destroys landscapes and uranium and other radioactive substances are released in the process. The mining and extraction process requires large volumes of water and contaminated water can leak from tailings dams into groundwater.

Accidents

In a word - Chernobyl. It can happen again; particularly in countries where laws relating to safety are lax. While the Chernobyl accident occurred decades ago, its legacy continues and may even worsen if the old plant isn't properly dealt with.

Water consumption

Nuclear power plants are thirsty operations. According to the Union of Concerned Scientists, for every three units of thermal energy generated by the reactor core, two units of waste heat go into the environment. Cooling systems for plants require huge volumes of water and a nuclear power station will use more water than a similar sized coal fired power station.

Water intake and discharge has a negative effect on aquatic ecosystems - through the processing of the water itself which kills organisms and the raising of waterway temperatures during discharge.

In a world where fresh water supplies are becoming increasingly unreliable in many places; there's also no guarantee a plant that is built today will have the water it needs in a decade from now without causing even more related environmental problems.

Waste

The issue of radioactive waste is an important one as it will effect generations to come for thousands of years. The more nuclear power plants we have, the more waste is generated and it only takes a single incident to affect a wide area. The waste can also be used by hostile parties to create "dirty bombs". Aside from the human costs of such devices being used, the environmental impact needs to be considered.

Time for construction

A solar power plant can be planned and constructed in a matter of months; a rooftop solar power system in a matter of weeks. A nuclear power plant can take decades - it's not a short term solution for our energy needs by any means.

Costs

Building a nuclear power plant is an expensive undertaking, usually requiring a good deal of taxpayer money. Because of the long planning and building process; costs invariably blow out.

Misuse

Nuclear energy based power generation is thought to be a front in some countries for nuclear weapons programs. You cannot build a nuclear missile from solar panels, nor with the equipment used to make them. A nuclear energy free future removes some opportunities for covert weapons development.

Nuclear disarmament will likely fail if nuclear technologies are continually promoted as a solution to the world's energy needs. The lessons of Nagasaki and Hiroshima need to be heeded, not just for the sake of humanity, but for the environment.

Availability of uranium

While some say we have an "endless" supply of uranium, the same sort of spiel was once said about oil. Perhaps uranium is a plentiful resource, but how much of it is relatively easy to get to? Will we see a tar sands equivalent in uranium extraction in the not too distant future if nuclear power plants become more commonplace?

There are advantages and disadvantages for all power sources and I'd be the first to admit to the fact the oil and coal industry has wreaked far more damage than the nuclear energy sector has done - to date. However, nuclear power isn't as common.

I still believe our immediate and long term answers lie in renewable energy sources such as wind and solar power; but equally as important is a huge push on energy efficiency - and that is something we all need to be involved in.

It's kind of sad to think we're willing to take the risks associated with nuclear energy in order to power non-essential items such as big screen TV's.