Nuclear Power

By: Elliot, Kaci and Haley

*Nuclear power is an alternative power source that uses the nuclear fission of uranium to create heat.

*Uranium is used as a fuel for the reaction as it is radioactive, therefore it is unstable to be broken down into smaller parts.

WHAT IS NUCLEAR POWER?

Nuclear power plant

• Nuclear fission occurs when an atom is split into smaller particles and enormous amount of energy is released.

• The uranium atoms absorbs a neutron and splits into two equal parts and energy is created. This becomes kinetic energy.

• This energy becomes heat and the particles slows down.

• The heat is then moved through a transfer medium (such as water) and it is used to turn water into steam.

• Then the steam turns a turbine. Which the turbine is connected to a generator.

•As the turbine turns the generator, it creates energy which is transferred to the consumers.

HOW NUCLEAR POWER WORKS

New York2 power plants

United States22 Power plants

Number of nuclear power plants

Current investment in nuclear power

In 2004 there was a proposed merger between Exelon the headquarters in Illinois and PSEG in New Jersey and it was rejected by the state of New Jersey. In 2011 Exelon agreed to a merger with Constellation Energy, including Constellation Energy Nuclear Group. Constellation Energy added 5 reactors at three plants and bringing its nuclear generating capacity to almost 21,000 MWe (Megawatt of Electricity) gross. This was finalized in March 2012. In 2008, Exelon made a $6.2 billion bid to takeover NRG Energy, which operates the two South Texas reactors but this was rebuffed in mid-2009.

Latest Scientific advancement

•Molten salt reactors (can achieve much higher burn-up factors than conventional uranium reactors)

•Liquid-fuel reactors, such as Molten Salt Reactors also offer inherent safety advantages because the fuel is liquid, it expands when heated, thus slowing the rate of nuclear reactions and making the reactor self-governing.

How much (%) electricity is currently being generated

by Nuclear power in the NY/US?

*-In 2011, the United States generated close to 12.2 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh). There were 65 nuclear power plants with 104 operating nuclear reactors that generated a total of 790 billion kilowatt-hours (kWh), or alittle more than 19% of the nation's electricity.

*The six power plants in NY state represent 13% of New York's electric generating capacity, 26% of it's power supply and 11% of New York's total consumption

Why is Nuclear power better than each of the other

alternative energy sources at generating electricity- what

are the pros?

*-Nuclear power plants don't produce smoke.

*-Nuclear power costs less than coal, solar, and wind

*-Nuclear power produces more kilowatts than coal, solar, and wind.

*-Safer than coal burning plants. (All nuclear plants have 4 feet thick walls around the nuclear plant itself)

Why is Nuclear power not so good? What are the cons?

* -Nuclear power plants are dependent on uranium, which is a non-renewable resource. Once the uranium is gone, it's gone for good. (uranium is made by stars dying)

* -High level radioactive wastes, which is terrible for the environment.

* -If the structure of the nuclear plant is destroyed (tsunamis, earthquakes, etc.), then the environment would be polluted with nuclear waste.

* -Some forms of nuclear reactor, known as "breeder" reactors produce plutonium, which can, conceivably, be used to make nuclear weapons, most likely in the form of a "dirty bomb". This is a conventional explosive mixed with radioactive material with the intention of spreading the material across a wide area to do even more damage.

Source of electricity

in New York

•Nuclear energy: 31.1%

•Coal: 7.5%

•Natural Gas: 36.7%

•Hydroelectric: 19.8%

•Renewable and Other: 4.2%

•Oil: 0.7%

• The waste is stored in fire, water, and earthquake proof capsules.

•As an alternative to normal coal-based electricity production nuclear power is favorable as it is much more efficient than coal.

• It is generally a reliable process that can be counted on to produce electricity for many years.

•Nuclear power cost the same as coal, so it’s not expensive to make.

•Does not produce smoke or carbon dioxide, so it does not contribute to greenhouse gasses.

ADVANTAGES

• There is pollution in the form of radioactive waste but with new technologies the process is becoming cleaner and safer each year.

• The possibility of radiation leakage or plant meltdown.

• There are problems and dangers, which could lead to accidents. The power stations are all manually run and human error could lead to possible accidents.

• The reactors also have a very expensive capital outlay in the beginning, although the costs are cheaper in the long run.

DISADVANTAGES

Boiling water reactor

Typical pressurized water reactor

Work Cited

* Works Cited

* " Nuclear Reactors | Nuclear Power Plant | Nuclear Reactor Technology." World Nuclear Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2013. <http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Nuclear-Fuel-Cycle/Power-Reactors/Nuclear-Power-Reactors/#.UWQdz6I3vVo>.

* 1960s, the end of the, orders were being placed for PWR, BWR reactor units of more than 1000 MWe capacity, and a major construction program got under way. These remain practically the only types built commercially in the USA.. "Nuclear Power in the USA." World Nuclear Association. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. <http://www.world-nuclear.org/info/Country-Profiles/Countries-T-Z/USA--Nuclear-Power/>.

* "A Pair of MIT Scientists Try to Transform Nuclear Power - Forbes." Information for the World's Business Leaders - Forbes.com. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. <http://www.forbes.com/sites/pikeresearch/2012/09/27/a-pair-of-mit-scientists-try-to-transform-nuclear-power/>.

* "Energy Resources: Nuclear power." Andy Darvill's Science site: Home. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Apr. 2013. <http://www.darvill.clara.net/altenerg/nuclear.htm>.

* "How Much Electricity Does My State Generate From Nuclear? | Nuclear Aftershocks | FRONTLINE | PBS." PBS: Public Broadcasting Service. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. <http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/pages/frontline/health-science-technology/nuclear-aftershocks/how-much-electricity-does-my-state-generate-from-nuclear/>.

* "How much electricity does a typical nuclear power plant generate? - FAQ - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)." U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). N.p., n.d. Web. 23 Apr. 2013. <http://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.cfm?id=104&t=3>.

* Jeb_Handwerger. "Japan and U.S. Give Green-light To Nuclear Power, Uranerz Uranium Miner :: The Market Oracle :: Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting Free Website." The Market Oracle :: Financial Markets Analysis & Forecasting Free Website. N.p., n.d. Web. 9 Apr. 2013. <http://www.marketoracle.co.uk/Article35233.html>.

* "Nuclear & Uranium - U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA)." U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA). N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Apr. 2013. <http://www.eia.gov/nuclear/>.

* "Nuclear Energy Institute - New York." Nuclear Energy Institute - NEI site. N.p., n.d. Web. 15 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nei.org/resourcesandstats/Documentlibrary/Reliable-and-Affordable-Energy/factsheet/statefactsnewyork>.

* "Nuclear Energy in New York – CASEnergy Coalition." CASEnergy Coalition. N.p., n.d. Web. 8 Apr. 2013. <http://casenergy.org/nuclear-energy/energy-in-your-state/nuclear-energy-in-new-york/>.

* "Nuclear Power." ThinkQuest : Library. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2013. <http://library.thinkquest.org/06aug/01335/nuclear.htm>.

* "Nuclear Power | Globalization101." Globalization101.org | globalization | globalisation | what is globalization | globalization dilemmas | globalization debates | pros cons globalization | global issues | international relations | international issues. N.p., n.d. Web. 12 Apr. 2013. <http://www.globalization101.org/nuclear-power/>.

* "Nuclear Reactor Design." Nuclear Power Plants. N.p., n.d. Web. 28 Mar. 2013. <http://www.45nuclearplants.com/nuclear_reactor_designs.asp>.

* product Material. "NRC: Fact Sheet on Decommissioning Nuclear Power Plants." NRC: Home Page. N.p., n.d. Web. 16 Apr. 2013. <http://www.nrc.gov/reading-rm/doc-collections/fact-sheets/decommissioning.html>.

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