Nuclear power

This article is about power derived from nuclear reactions. For countries that possess nuclear weapons see: Nuclear powers .

Related Topics:
Nuclear reactions - Nuclear weapon - Nuclear powers

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Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear reactions to do useful work (in the past, this was called Atomic Energy). Currently, Nuclear power is generated by nuclear fission reactions which occur when sufficient amounts of uranium-235 and/or plutonium are confined to a small space, often in the presence of a neutron moderator. The reaction produces heat which is converted to kinetic energy by means of a steam turbine and then a generator for electricity production. Nuclear power currently provides about 17% of the world's electricity and 7% of global energy. http://www.eia.doe.gov/oiaf/servicerpt/erd/nuclear.html An international effort into the use of nuclear fusion for power is ongoing, but not expected to be available in commercially viable form for several decades.

Related Topics:
Nuclear reactions - Nuclear fission - Uranium - Plutonium - Neutron moderator - Heat - Kinetic energy - Steam turbine - Electricity - Nuclear fusion

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After a period of decline following the 1979 Three Mile Island accident and the 1986 incident at Chernobyl, there is a recently renewed interest in nuclear energy because it could partially address both dwindling oil reserves and global warming with fewer emissions of greenhouse gases than fossil fuel.

Related Topics:
1979 - Three Mile Island - 1986 - Chernobyl - Dwindling oil reserves - Global warming - Greenhouse gases

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The use of nuclear power is controversial because of the problem of storing radioactive waste for indefinite periods, the potential for possibly severe radioactive contamination by accident or sabotage, and the possibility that its use could in some countries lead to the proliferation of nuclear weapons. Proponents, including some national governments, claim that these risks are small and can be lessened with new technology. They claim that France and all of the industrialised economies of Asia http://www.fuelcellsworks.com/Supppage3541.html see nuclear power as a key economic strategy, that the safety record is already good when compared to other energy forms, and that nuclear power is a sustainable energy source. Many environmental groups claim nuclear power is an uneconomic, unsound and potentially dangerous energy source, especially compared to renewable energy, and dispute whether the costs and risks can be reduced through new technology.

Related Topics:
Radioactive waste - Radioactive contamination - Proliferation - Nuclear weapons - France - Asia - Sustainable energy - Environmental groups - Renewable energy

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