|
At its inception, nuclear power was advertised as a means to
affordable, clean, and safe electricity. It may have once been seen as the most
immediate answer to the energy crisis in terms of combating climate change. But
even before the Fukushima disaster, the industry's future was waning. Now many
are questioning whether nuclear has any future at all.
Watts Barr Nuclear Plant in Spring City Tennessee. - Source: Knox News
The Good Stuff
What people know and like about nuclear power is that it is a
source of stable baseload electricity. The stability comes from the fact that,
once operational, nuclear plants stay online and provide power 24/7 for up to a
year before they need refueling, a process which typically takes only a couple
weeks.
Nuclear power also boasts zero carbon emissions. This means
that using nuke plants to displace fossil fuel plants (e.g. coal and natural
gas) could generously aid in the fight for a reduced carbon footprint and
energy security.
In addition, nuclear advocates will quickly point out the
low operating costs of nuclear plants once established and running, referring
to them as cash generators. They create jobs and revenue for the local
communities in which they are established.
The Bad Stuff
What people know and don't like about nuclear power is that
it can lead to disasters. Not-surprisingly, people don't like the possibility
of a Chernobyl, Three-Mile Island, or Fukushima happening again, especially
near them. Many argue that nuclear power is inherently dangerous, and as such
cannot be made inherently safe (see this
opinion from a USNews
debate on the expansion of nuclear power).
There are also doubts about nuclear power's actual economic
viability. The permitting and capital costs associated with nuke plants are
enormous, and any design takes years to construct. Technologies to update
existing plants are incredibly expensive. The fresh water resources required by
nuke plants are also a concern. Many argue that nuclear power would be too
expensive and uneconomical without government support.
National security is also a big concern for some, who
question whether nuclear plants or the spent fuel rods they generate could be
targets for terrorists or unstable government regimes.
An Uncertain Future
The post-Fukushima reaction of many countries has made it
seem like nuclear power is on its death bed. Germany, the leader of nuclear
power withdrawals, said it will close all 22 of its reactors by 2022. Plans for
two new UK power stations have also been abandoned within the last week. In
addition, the Chinese are delaying the construction of new plants pending a
safety review.
Westinghouse's AP1000 nuclear reactor. - Source: The Energy Blog -->
However, some initiatives for new plants remain unchanged. The
United States has continued to make investments in nuclear power, with a number
of Westinghouse AP1000 units (among others) scheduled to be built within the
next decade (see this
page for more information on US nuclear progress). And while plans for two
UK reactors were cancelled, six other projects remain unchanged; French and
French-Spanish companies EDF and NuGen (respectively) have stayed committed to
their building initiatives in the UK.
A quick Google search on nuclear power today will provide a number
of vastly different predictions and opinions on its future. With an industry so
swamped in political and social implications, what more could be expected? What
are your thoughts on nuclear power and the future of its contribution to the
energy solution?
Sources:
NewScientist
USNews
- Should Nuclear Power Be Expanded?
| 
Re: Does Nuclear Power Have a Fading Future?
"Almost" Good Answers: