Pros and Cons of nuclear energy

[yiennahs]

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I would just like to ask

What are the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy?

I hope i am in the right section and please close if needed.

Advantage:

Zero Carbon Emissions

Nuclear energy does not involve burning fossil fuels, and therefore does not in any way contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. In this respect (albeit only this respect), it is as clean as solar, wind, geothermal and hydropower.

Energy Independence

Nuclear fuels are derived from uranium and plutonium. Uranium is available in plentiful quantities in the United States, and plutonium is created as a byproduct of the nuclear fission process (indeed, Breeder Reactor designs maximize plutonium production). Replacing oil burning power plants with nuclear power plant would therefore be helping with achieving energy independence.

Disadvantage:

Waste Disposal

Spent fuels from a nuclear power plant are radioactive and highly toxic.They also pose security risks, as a terrorist who acquired a substantial amount of nuclear waste could construct a so-called "dirty bomb," with the purpose of spreading radioactive materials over a large area. An accident or attack involving radioactive waste would likely contaminate a strictly local area.

Reactor Safety

A nuclear accident that resulted in loss of control over the fission chain reaction would be extremely hazardous. The danger here is that the heat produced would outstrip the ability of the reactor coolant to cope, causing the nuclear reaction. This could cause system failures which would release radioactivity into the environment. In the case of an extreme failure, the result would be a nuclear meltdown, where the reacting nuclear material burns or melts its way through its containment vessel, into the ground, and then into the water table. This would throw a huge cloud of radioactive steam and debris into the atmosphere. Accidents of this type have the potential to release radioactivity over an immense area. A small, well-contained accident might just contaminate the power plant, while a major one could result in fallout being spread worldwide.

Cost

According to the United States Deptartment of Energy, when all costs are factored in, nuclear power costs an estimated $59.30/MWH. This is expensive when compared to other means of generating electricity. For example, clean wind power is $55.60/MWH; coal $53.10/MWH; and natural gas $52.50/MWH.

[gareb]

to be honest, the issue of nuclear power safety is largely a non-issue. as you have already outlined, the risks and advantages of using nuclear energy are already well known and established.

the problem being whether we can take the risk or not is largely a political issue rather than a scientific one. groups can either downplay or gloss over advantages and risks, distorting how the public can form an informed decision on the matter.