TOPIC 'Renewable Energy' on Feb 25, 2009 (CET)
Nuclear Power – Renewable Energy - or Not?
Global warming, high oil prices, and economic downturns … The U.S. cannot wait any longer to implement fuel alternatives to replace more than a century of industrial decadence and waste. It’s time to clean up and change how we perceive and use available energy resources.
Nuclear energy is marketed as “environmentally friendly” and as “a renewable energy source.” While other countries, such as Japan and France, which are solely dependent on nuclear energy, actively expanded their nuclear energy programs over the past three decades, the U.S. conversely put a hold on its nuclear development. Public concern over accidents and meltdowns, like the Three Mile Island incident in 1979, global agreements, and politics, curtailed funding for many nuclear power plant construction projects.
Although nuclear energy is a “cleaner” source of power, and mentioned in the same discussions as wind, solar, and hydro energy alternatives, it is a misconception to claim that nuclear power is a “renewable” energy source. By definition, “renewable energy” has an infinite source of fuel. Nuclear power is generated inside a reactor (plant), and the heat that produces steam, which is released to produce electricity, is created by a controlled nuclear fission chain reaction of uranium or plutonium. Unlike the sun, wind, and waters, uranium and plutonium are natural resources similar to oil, coal, and natural gas, which can eventually be depleted.
However, some breeder reactors used to create nuclear power are capable of refining radioactive elements as a part of its routine. They convert natural uranium into fuel-grade uranium and plutonium into a byproduct. Fuel-grade uranium may be used by other reactors, and the plutonium byproduct can be used either to generate power, or, in nuclear weapons. The recyclable nature of breeder reactors qualifies nuclear energy as a “semi-renewable” source.
Nuclear energy generates no greenhouse gas emissions and can help in controlling global warming. However, toxic, radioactive waste must be securely disposed of, which creates other debatable issues.
Jason Grace
on behalf of the
BascoTec Internet Limited
Technologie Park 13
33100 Paderborn
Germany
