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Key facts

Nuclear power produces a lot of energy from nuclear fuel in a controllable and reliable reaction.

Nuclear fuel is a so it is not a source of energy.

It does not produce carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases, so it does not contribute directly to global heating. Some people consider it is a good alternative to fossil fuels.

Radiation from nuclear fuel and nuclear waste can be very harmful to living things, so some people think that nuclear fuel is too big a threat to health and the environment to use.

Torness Nuclear Power Station, Scotland
Image caption,
Torness Nuclear Power Station, Scotland.

Nuclear energy and its impact

Find out why nuclear power can generate huge amounts of energy and how it is used to generate electricity.

How nuclear power is generated

Nuclear power stations are similar to traditional power plants because water is heated to turn and generate electrical energy.

However, instead of burning fuels, the uranium atoms (the nuclear fuel) undergo a reaction called nuclear fission which creates the heat.

Nuclear fission

Nuclear fission is when an is split by firing a neutron (very small particle) at it. Splitting an atom releases a large amount of energy in the form of heat.

Diagram showing the process of nuclear fission
Figure caption,
Nuclear fission

Nuclear reactors

The main nuclear fuels are uranium and plutonium. These are housed in a nuclear reactor.

  1. The nuclear fuel undergoes nuclear fission in the reactor, producing heat - nuclear to heat energy.
  2. Heat is used to change water into steam in the heat exchanger
  3. The steam drives the turbine - heat to kinetic energy
  4. This drives the generator to produce electricity - kinetic to electrical energy
Diagram explaining how a nuclear reactor works
Figure caption,
A diagram showing how a nuclear reactor is used to create steam that in turn powers turbines in order to generate electricity.

Location factors

Torness power station, Lothian, Scotland. The power plant uses seawater from the North Sea as part of its cooling system. Chris Mattison / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
Torness power station, Lothian, Scotland. The power plant uses seawater from the North Sea as part of its cooling system. Chris Mattison / Alamy Stock Photo.

Nuclear power stations need a reliable source of water for cooling and other purposes. They are most often built next to the sea or large lakes.

Radiation can be very harmful to any living thing, including people. For this reason nuclear power stations are located in areas away from towns and cities.

Accidents at nuclear power stations can have devastating results, so they need to be built away from risks of damage by flooding, earthquakes or extreme weather. In 2011, a caused a power failure at the Fukushima nuclear power station in Japan. This caused the reactor to overheat, causing a series of explosions and the release of huge amounts of radiation.

Torness power station, Lothian, Scotland. The power plant uses seawater from the North Sea as part of its cooling system. Chris Mattison / Alamy Stock Photo
Image caption,
Torness power station, Lothian, Scotland. The power plant uses seawater from the North Sea as part of its cooling system. Chris Mattison / Alamy Stock Photo.

Sustainability of nuclear energy

To develop a sustainable future you need to think about meeting today's needs and protecting the聽environment听补苍诲听resources聽for the future.

Nuclear power is non-renewable because there is only a finite amount of nuclear fuel in the world. However, only small amounts of nuclear fuel are needed to produce large amounts of energy, so it is not used up as quickly as fossil fuels.

Nuclear power is sustainable in that it does not release greenhouse gases and contribute to global heating. It does release small amounts of radioactive gas and other material but only at very low doses.

It does leave behind nuclear waste which is more radioactive and which needs to be stored deep underground for safety and security.

Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy

Advantages

  • Nuclear power is cleaner than fossil fuels ( such as carbon dioxide or sulphur dioxide are not produced)
  • It is very efficient - only a small mass of nuclear fuel is required to generate lots of electricity.
  • Although nuclear fuel is it is not used up quickly.
  • Once set up, running costs are low.

Disadvantages

  • Nuclear fuel is non-renewable and will run out eventually
  • The cost of set up is very high and so a large amount of money is required initially. The process is takes many years.
  • Decommissioning nuclear power stations so they are not an environmental or health threat when no longer in use is also a long and expensive process.
  • Some nuclear waste is highly radioactive and must be disposed of carefully. It is usually buried deep underground
  • Any accidents can release radiation which is potentially harmful to people and the environment.

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