Alternative Energy:Nuclear Power

FYF 101Section J

October 26, 2007

Learning ObjectivesParticipants should be able to describe:

• Nuclear power use worldwide & in the U.S.• The nuclear fuel cycle• The potential advantages of nuclear power• The risks associated with nuclear power

Source of Electrical Production in the U.S.

Coal 55%

Nuclear 22%

Hydroelectric 10%

Gas 10%

Petroleum 2%

Other <1%

Energy Facts

• Production of energy accounts for 36% of the energy we use.

• Fossil fuel produces 85% of the energy used.

• Burning of fossil fuel produces 3.7 tons for each ton burned.

Nuclear Power Plants

• Worldwide: 443 reactors in 32 countries (<25 under construction)

• United States: 103 reactors in 31 states (no new construction since 1974)

Pa has the 2nd largest capacityIllinois is 1st.

% of national power

% of worldwide power

France 75% 16%Sweden 46%Ukraine 43% 5%South Korea 39% 4%Germany 30% 7%Japan 30% 13%United States 22% 31%

Risks

• Effluents• Waste• Accidents

A 1000 MW(e) Nuclear Plant would have the same effect as:

Land: Disturbed Land 100 MW (e) coal

Land: Overburden moved

95 MW(e) coal

Fossil fuel used: 45 MW(e) coal

Effluents: SOx, NOx, Hydrocarbons, CO

45 MW (e) coal

Eventual # of deaths caused by the wastes from 1000 MWe-Y electrical power generation

Nuclear High level wastes 0.018

Low level wastes 0.0004

Routine emissions 0.3

Coal Air pollution 75

Radon emission 30

Chemical cacrcinogens

70

Loss of life expectancy (LLE) due to various risks in the U.S.

ACTIVITY LLE (Days)Living in poverty 3500Smoking 2300Unmarried 2000Coal Miner 110030 lbs overweight 900Small car vs. midsize 60Living very near a NPP 0.4

Spent nuclear fuel (total since 1970’s)

• Stored at reactor site: 162,000 units; 46,218 tons

• Stored at away from reactor storage:4,000 units;755 tons

Chernobyl

• Acute radiation sickness affected 134 employees; 28 died

• Thyroid cancer: 70 cases

• Potential 1000’s