The Possibility of Nuclear Reliance in Hong Kong
The Possibility of Nuclear Reliance in Hong Kong
1. Introduction
Do you know Hong Kong uses 70% of the electricity generated by The Guangdong Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station (China Light & Power Holdings Limited, 2010)? The main controversy of nuclear power is its safety and the problem of waste storage. Though Hong Kong is heavily relying on fossil fuels, Hong Kong should increase its reliance on nuclear power in the near future. This essay aims to examine the possibility and benefit of having a nuclear power plant in Hong Kong. This essay first gives a brief introduction on nuclear power, and then it will discuss the problem of using fossil fuels followed by benefits of using nuclear power in Hong Kong. This essay concludes with solution to the safety and pollution problem of using nuclear power.
2. Nuclear power
In nuclear power plants, heat is generated by nuclear fission. During nuclear fission, an atom is split into two fragments and a significant amount of energy is released (nuclear fission, n. d.). The heat is then used to generate steam to drive turbines (Hill, Mechelynck, Ripka, & van der Zwaan, 1999). The pressurised water reactor is the most commonly used nuclear power reactor. This kind of reactor uses fuel rods made of uranium oxide, and control rods are uses to control the rate of heat generation. These control rods can also be used to achieve shut down.
3. Problem of fossil fuels
3.1. Global warming
Burning of fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, which causes global warming. According to Hill et al. (1999), the amount of carbon dioxide released by the burning of fossil fuels has been steadily rising in the past 50 years. According to Hansen, since the industrial revolution, the carbon dioxide level has risen from 275 parts per million (ppm) to 385 ppm (as cited in McKibben, 2009). Also stated by Hansen, in order to solve the problem of global warming, the use of fossil fuels should stop by 2030 (as cited in McKibben, 2009).
3.2 Limited
1. Introduction
Do you know Hong Kong uses 70% of the electricity generated by The Guangdong Daya Bay Nuclear Power Station (China Light & Power Holdings Limited, 2010)? The main controversy of nuclear power is its safety and the problem of waste storage. Though Hong Kong is heavily relying on fossil fuels, Hong Kong should increase its reliance on nuclear power in the near future. This essay aims to examine the possibility and benefit of having a nuclear power plant in Hong Kong. This essay first gives a brief introduction on nuclear power, and then it will discuss the problem of using fossil fuels followed by benefits of using nuclear power in Hong Kong. This essay concludes with solution to the safety and pollution problem of using nuclear power.
2. Nuclear power
In nuclear power plants, heat is generated by nuclear fission. During nuclear fission, an atom is split into two fragments and a significant amount of energy is released (nuclear fission, n. d.). The heat is then used to generate steam to drive turbines (Hill, Mechelynck, Ripka, & van der Zwaan, 1999). The pressurised water reactor is the most commonly used nuclear power reactor. This kind of reactor uses fuel rods made of uranium oxide, and control rods are uses to control the rate of heat generation. These control rods can also be used to achieve shut down.
3. Problem of fossil fuels
3.1. Global warming
Burning of fossil fuels produces carbon dioxide, which causes global warming. According to Hill et al. (1999), the amount of carbon dioxide released by the burning of fossil fuels has been steadily rising in the past 50 years. According to Hansen, since the industrial revolution, the carbon dioxide level has risen from 275 parts per million (ppm) to 385 ppm (as cited in McKibben, 2009). Also stated by Hansen, in order to solve the problem of global warming, the use of fossil fuels should stop by 2030 (as cited in McKibben, 2009).
3.2 Limited
References: China Light & Power Holdings Limited. (2010). Guangdong daya bay nuclear power station The Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region. (2010, March). Daya bay contingency plan Hill, C. R., Mechelynck, A. L., Ripka, G., & van der Zwaan, B. C. C. (Eds.). (1999). Nuclear energy promise or peril? International Atomic Energy Agency. (2011). Establishing the safety infrastructure for a nuclear power programme