A RESEARCH TASK

ON

PRESENTED TO
MS. JITHU GRACE KOSHY
(SCIENCE)

BY
AYAAN ASIM (8C)
Nuclear Energy Advantages and
Disadvantages | Pros & Cons of Nuclear
Energy, Is It Safe?

Nuclear Energy Advantages and Disadvantages: Nuclear energy is generated by fusion or

fission. It is a cost-effective means to generate power. Atoms unite to generate a bigger atom
in nuclear fusion. Atoms are divided to produce smaller atoms in nuclear fission, which
generates energy. Nuclear power facilities use nuclear fission to make electricity. Nuclear
fusion is the means through which the sun generates electricity.

The accompanying is some of the most significant advantages of nuclear energy and some
of the current disadvantages that the sector is experiencing.

What is Nuclear Energy? Advantages and Disadvantages of Nuclear

Energy 2022

Electricity may be manufactured in a range of ways. It may be generated, for instance,

with solar panels, coal, or the heat captured by atoms splitting apart. Nuclear
electricity is generated when atoms break apart to produce power.

Steam is used in all power plants to transform heat into energy. At nuclear power
plants, heat is released by atoms splitting apart, a phenomenon known as fission. Heat
is released when atoms divide apart. A chain reaction happens when a process is
performed over and over again. The element implemented in the fission process in a
nuclear power plant is uranium.

The heat from fission boils water and drives a turbine via steam. The generator runs
while the turbine rotates, and its magnetic field provides electricity. The energy may
then be forwarded to your house.
Benefits and Limitations of Nuclear Energy
Advantages of Nuclear Energy

Mentioned below are a few of the main advantages of nuclear energy.

1. Clean source of energy: Nuclear power facilities generate power without

releasing greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. This technology eliminates
the utilization of typical thermal power stations. They consume as little fossil
fuel as practicable. As a consequence, nuclear power plants end up producing
minimal toxins (CO2 and others).
2. With a modest amount of nuclear fuel, you can output a huge amount of
energy: Nuclear Power Plant can yield massive amounts of energy with a
significant supply of uranium. It entails cost reductions in terms of raw
materials, transportation, extraction, and uranium management. The cost of
uranium is comparable to 20% of the value of the power generated.
3. It is self-sufficient: Nuclear energy, unlike solar and wind energy, is not
completely reliant on external factors. Solar energy is proportional to the number
of hours the sun is shining. The strength of the wind determines eolic power. As
a consequence, peak energy demand hours do not automatically equate with
peak energy demand hours. Electrical planning is supported by atomic energy.
It is also plannable in terms of expense. Uranium does not fluctuate in prices like
other resources like oil and natural gas.
4. Nuclear energy is one of the strongest concentrated forms of energy that we
are acquainted with: When contrasted to other sources of energy production,
the percentage of fuel required for nuclear energy production is relatively
minimal. When weighed pound for pound, uranium generates 16,000 times more
power than coal. When analyzing new nuclear fission or fusion processes, the
comparability ratio may be as high as 2 million to 1. Nuclear reactions beat
chemical reactions by a factor of ten million to one.
5. It produces its own fuel to suit future manufacturing requirements: Many
nuclear power reactors may utilize their expended fuel to produce more power.
Thorium recycling promotes fission in a comparable pattern as uranium.

Although nuclear energy is relatively distant from now being an authentic “renewable”
power source, we have made significant strides in significantly reducing the
environmental hazards that have traditionally been associated with it.

Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy

Following the advantages, below are a few disadvantages:

Nuclear Accidents Have Serious Repercussions: Nuclear power facilities have

incredibly high safety mechanisms. The human aspect, on the other side, has a
distinct influence. Choices made in the midst of an unexpected catastrophe may be
incorrect. Chernobyl and Fukushima are crucial points.

Chernobyl is the world’s scariest nuclear disaster. The atomic reactor exploded due to
a series of poor judgments made by the crew.
The situation at Fukushima was distinctive. External factors influenced the accident.
Following the tragedy, however, several nuclear officials questioned the verdict. It was
the second-worst disaster in living memory.

It has the potential to be converted into a lethal weapon: Nuclear energy may also be
employed to deliver explosive devices that release massive amounts of energy.
According to Popular Mechanics, the nuclear bombs unleashed on Japan were 3,000
times weaker than contemporary nuclear weapons attainable today.

Little Boy, as one of the bombs launched on Japan, was nicknamed, emitted around
15 kilotons of energy.

As a result of the bombing, Hiroshima and Nagasaki were obliterated in a matter of

minutes. It was the first and only occasion a country deployed nuclear weapons in a
retaliatory operation.

Several countries later signed accords to prevent them from spreading. Despite this, nuclear
weapons have been constructed and are still in existence. As a result, the serious possibility
of a future atomic strike looms.

Nuclear power yields toxic waste: It produces radioactive waste that is highly
hazardous to individuals and the environment. If this waste is not taken care of, the
consequences might outlast hundreds, albeit not thousands, of years.

There are confinement options available, but radioactive waste does not cease to
exist.

Facilities with a Deadline: Nuclear reactors have an expiration date. Owners of

Nuclear power plants must demolish them after this deadline.

Analysts claim that about 80 new nuclear reactors will be expected every ten years.
Advantages And Disadvantages Nuclear Energy in Tabular Form

ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

1. Nuclear energy has a low carbon

1. Nuclear power plants require large amounts
footprint and can produce large amounts
of water for cooling, which can strain local
of electricity without greenhouse gas
water supplies.
emissions.

2. Nuclear power plants can operate 2. The process of mining, refining, and

continuously and reliably for long periods transporting nuclear fuel can produce

of time, without the need for frequent radioactive waste and increase the risk of

maintenance or downtime. nuclear accidents.

3. Nuclear energy has a high energy

3. Nuclear accidents, such as the Chornobyl
density, meaning that a small amount of
disaster, can cause widespread damage to
fuel can produce a large amount of
human health and the environment.
energy.

4. Nuclear power plants can help to 4. The construction and maintenance of

reduce dependence on fossil fuels and nuclear power plants can be costly and time-

increase energy security. consuming.

 ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

5. Nuclear energy is a mature technology

5. Nuclear power plants can be a target for
that has been used for several decades,
terrorist attacks or sabotage, leading to the
with established safety protocols and
release of radioactive materials.
regulations.

6. Nuclear power plants can operate

6. The decommissioning of nuclear power
independently of weather conditions,
plants at the end of their lifetimes can be
such as wind or sunlight, making them
complex and expensive, requiring safe
more reliable than renewable energy
disposal of radioactive materials.
sources.

7. Nuclear energy can help to meet the

7. Nuclear power plants can pose a risk to
increasing demand for electricity in
biodiversity, as they require large areas of land
developing countries, where energy
for construction and operation.
access is limited.

8. The long-term effects of radiation exposure

8. Nuclear power plants can create jobs
are still not fully understood and may have
and economic growth in regions where
negative impacts on human health and the
they are built.
environment.
 ADVANTAGES DISADVANTAGES

9. Nuclear energy can provide a stable 9. The nuclear industry has historically been

source of electricity that is not subject to linked to the proliferation of nuclear weapons,

fluctuations in fuel prices or geopolitical as the same technology can be used for both

tensions. peaceful and military purposes.

10. Nuclear energy can support a

10. Public perception of nuclear energy can be
transition to a low-carbon energy system,
negative, leading to opposition and regulatory
which is necessary to address climate
challenges for new projects.
change.
Comparison Table for Advantages & Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy

Advantage Disadvantage

Low Operating Costs The initial investment is quite hefty

Global Climate Compatible People exposed to it have health issues

Nuclear energy helps countries grow With nuclear electricity; there are long-term

economically storage expenditures to contemplate.

Nuclear energy may be used in a range Uranium mining is vital to keep the nuclear energy

of methods. market viable.

This power production is a very reliable Constructing a new nuclear power plant can take

supply of energy for us. a very long time.

FAQs on Pros & Cons of Nuclear Energy

Question 1.
When it pertains to a nuclear power plant, what are the potential risks of energy loss?

Answer:
When transmission deficiencies are coupled with theft, India might lose up to 30% of
the energy provided through the customary distribution infrastructure. Because the
necessary infrastructure is not in play in the United States, electricity losses from
nuclear power can be as significant as 13%.

To facilitate the nuclear energy industry, high-voltage, low-loss transmission lines

must be provided to help minimize power dissipation. When particularly in comparison
to standard low-voltage transmission lines, which encounter higher levels of loss, this
extension to a network or grid comes at an increased price.

Question 2.
What are the foreign dependency considerations that governments must consider
when adopting nuclear power?

Answer:
Adopting nuclear energy places a country in a position of reliance on other countries.
Uranium mines are accessible in just a few nations. Additionally, nuclear technology
is not viable in all countries. As a result, they’ll have to outsource each of these
services.

Question 3.
What are the typical operating expenses of nuclear power plants?

Answer:
Nuclear power facilities are less expensive to operate than coal or natural gas plants.
The running costs are between 20% and 50% of what a fossil fuel plant would require.
In particular, the amount of power generated is vastly greater than in most other
modes.