Nuclear PowerNuclear Power Period 1Period 1 Benny SituBenny Situ Paolo TolentinoPaolo Tolentino David LiangDavid Liang

Nuclear PowerNuclear Power Nuclear power is the usage of sustained nuclear fission that Nuclear power is the usage of sustained nuclear fission that

generates heat and electricity. generates heat and electricity.

DisadvantagesDisadvantages Storage and management of dangerous of high level radioactive Storage and management of dangerous of high level radioactive

wastewaste The costs of building nuclear facilities and the possibilities of The costs of building nuclear facilities and the possibilities of

accidentsaccidents Radiation leaks can cause a lot of harm from power plants.Radiation leaks can cause a lot of harm from power plants. Terrorist like using nuclear weapons for massive destruction and Terrorist like using nuclear weapons for massive destruction and

that can cause harm to the environment. that can cause harm to the environment. Plutonium produced in nuclear reactions can be used to make Plutonium produced in nuclear reactions can be used to make

nuclear weaponry.nuclear weaponry. Nuclear is not a renewable source of energy.Nuclear is not a renewable source of energy. Nuclear power plants take time to build. Nuclear power plants take time to build. A lot of funds have to be spent to build these nuclear power A lot of funds have to be spent to build these nuclear power

plants. plants.

AdvantagesAdvantages Nuclear power generation does emit relatively low amounts of Nuclear power generation does emit relatively low amounts of

carbon dioxide (CO2). The emissions of green house gases and carbon dioxide (CO2). The emissions of green house gases and therefore the contribution of nuclear power plants to global therefore the contribution of nuclear power plants to global warming is lower. warming is lower.

The energy is always available, it does not have to be developed The energy is always available, it does not have to be developed first.first.

One plant can produce a high amount of electricity.One plant can produce a high amount of electricity. Although the cost of building is high the price of maintaining it is Although the cost of building is high the price of maintaining it is

relatively low.relatively low. Nuclear power plants are more efficient than ever before. New Nuclear power plants are more efficient than ever before. New

technology has made them more reliable (they break down less technology has made them more reliable (they break down less often) and safer. often) and safer.

Can be safely stored underground.Can be safely stored underground.

Consumption/UsageConsumption/Usage The country's 104 nuclear reactors produced 807 billion kWh The country's 104 nuclear reactors produced 807 billion kWh

in 2010, over 20% of total electrical output.  in 2010, over 20% of total electrical output.  Nuclear power accounts for in USA accounts for 30% of Nuclear power accounts for in USA accounts for 30% of

worldwide nuclear generation of electricity.worldwide nuclear generation of electricity. Accounts for 14% of worldwide electricity output.Accounts for 14% of worldwide electricity output. 7.9 billion KWh—enough to supply electricity for 740,000 7.9 billion KWh—enough to supply electricity for 740,000

households. households.

If generated by other fuel sources, it would require: If generated by other fuel sources, it would require:

Oil: 13.7 million barrels – 1 barrel yields 576 KWh Oil: 13.7 million barrels – 1 barrel yields 576 KWh Coal: 3.4 million short tons – 1 ton yields 2,297 KWh Coal: 3.4 million short tons – 1 ton yields 2,297 KWh Natural Gas: 65.8 billion cubic feet – 100 cubic feet yields 12 Natural Gas: 65.8 billion cubic feet – 100 cubic feet yields 12

KWhKWh

EquipmentEquipment

Canada uses nuclear power to extract oilsCanada uses nuclear power to extract oils Nuclear power is used for energy, but energy must be released Nuclear power is used for energy, but energy must be released

first.first. Nuclear energy is released from atoms in two ways: nuclear Nuclear energy is released from atoms in two ways: nuclear

fusion and nuclear fission.fusion and nuclear fission.Nuclear power provides electricity for 14% of the world’s Nuclear power provides electricity for 14% of the world’s electricity. electricity.

Nuclear energy is also used for weapons by terroristsNuclear energy is also used for weapons by terrorists Nuclear power is used in the medical field for x rays and Nuclear power is used in the medical field for x rays and

chemotherapy treatmentschemotherapy treatments Submarines and ships used nuclear based propulsion, and would Submarines and ships used nuclear based propulsion, and would

be ineffective without nuclear energy.be ineffective without nuclear energy.

Efficiency and CostEfficiency and Cost Nuclear power is cost competitive with other forms of Nuclear power is cost competitive with other forms of

electricity generation, except where there is direct access to electricity generation, except where there is direct access to low-cost fossil fuels.low-cost fossil fuels.  

Fuel costs for nuclear plants are cost more then coal-fired Fuel costs for nuclear plants are cost more then coal-fired plants and much greater than those for gas-fired plants.plants and much greater than those for gas-fired plants.  

In March 2011, the approximate cost of 1kg of uranium as In March 2011, the approximate cost of 1kg of uranium as UO2 reactor fuel is $2700 dollarsUO2 reactor fuel is $2700 dollars

Nuclear power is very efficient in providing energy because Nuclear power is very efficient in providing energy because 74% of electricity is used in the U.S today.74% of electricity is used in the U.S today.

SourceSource It starts of as being mined and obtaining the uranium ore. It starts of as being mined and obtaining the uranium ore.

Uranium is common, and is constituent of most rocks, dirt, Uranium is common, and is constituent of most rocks, dirt, and of the oceansand of the oceans

Uranium ore is processed and enriched in U-235 relative to Uranium ore is processed and enriched in U-235 relative to the more abundant U-238 that it is mixed with, enriched as the more abundant U-238 that it is mixed with, enriched as needed to be able to achieve a critical mass for different needed to be able to achieve a critical mass for different sized plants. The enrichment process raises the proportion of sized plants. The enrichment process raises the proportion of U-235 to U-238 to about 5 percent for a commercial nuclear U-235 to U-238 to about 5 percent for a commercial nuclear power plant. power plant.

Other materials can be used like Throium-223 and Plutonium-Other materials can be used like Throium-223 and Plutonium-238238