Nuclear Energy Biography
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 5.7% of the world's energy and 13% of the world's electricity. [1] In 2007, the IAEA reported there were 439 nuclear power reactors in operation in the world,[2] operating in 31 countries.[3] Also, more than 150 naval vessels using nuclear propulsion have been built.
There is an ongoing debate about the use of nuclear energy.[4][5][6] Proponents, such as the World Nuclear Association, the IAEA and Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy contend that nuclear power is a sustainable energy source that reduces carbon emissions.[7] Opponents, such as Greenpeace International and NIRS, believe that nuclear power poses many threats to people and the environment.[8][9][10]
Nuclear power plant accidents include the Chernobyl disaster (1986), Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011), and the Three Mile Island accident (1979).[11] There have also been some nuclear-powered submarine mishaps.[11][12][13] Research into safety improvements is continuing[14] and nuclear fusion, believed to be safer, may be used in the future.
China has 25 nuclear power reactors under construction, with plans to build many more,[15] while in the US the licenses of almost half its reactors have been extended to 60 years,[16] and plans to build another dozen are under serious consideration.[17] However, Japan's 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster prompted a rethink of nuclear energy policy in many countries.[18] Germany decided to close all its reactors by 2022, and Italy has banned nuclear power.[18] Following Fukushima, the International Energy Agency halved its estimate of additional nuclear generating capacity to be built by 2035.[19]
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fission to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 5.7% of the world's energy and 13% of the world's electricity. [1] In 2007, the IAEA reported there were 439 nuclear power reactors in operation in the world,[2] operating in 31 countries.[3] Also, more than 150 naval vessels using nuclear propulsion have been built.
There is an ongoing debate about the use of nuclear energy.[4][5][6] Proponents, such as the World Nuclear Association, the IAEA and Environmentalists for Nuclear Energy contend that nuclear power is a sustainable energy source that reduces carbon emissions.[7] Opponents, such as Greenpeace International and NIRS, believe that nuclear power poses many threats to people and the environment.[8][9][10]
Nuclear power plant accidents include the Chernobyl disaster (1986), Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster (2011), and the Three Mile Island accident (1979).[11] There have also been some nuclear-powered submarine mishaps.[11][12][13] Research into safety improvements is continuing[14] and nuclear fusion, believed to be safer, may be used in the future.
China has 25 nuclear power reactors under construction, with plans to build many more,[15] while in the US the licenses of almost half its reactors have been extended to 60 years,[16] and plans to build another dozen are under serious consideration.[17] However, Japan's 2011 Fukushima Daiichi nuclear disaster prompted a rethink of nuclear energy policy in many countries.[18] Germany decided to close all its reactors by 2022, and Italy has banned nuclear power.[18] Following Fukushima, the International Energy Agency halved its estimate of additional nuclear generating capacity to be built by 2035.[19]
Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Energy
No comments:
Post a Comment