What Are The Arguments Against Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy on the other hand is a result of heat generated through the fission process of atoms. All power plants convert heat into electricity using steam. At nuclear power plants, the heat to make the steam is created when atoms split apart - called fission. The fission releases energy in the form of heat and neutrons. The released neutrons then goes on to hit other neutrons and repeat the process, hence generating more heat. In most cases the fuel used for nuclear fission is uranium.
Most supporters of nuclear energy point out the low carbon emission aspect of nuclear energy aAlthough nuclear energy is considered clean energy its inclusion in the renewable energy list is a subject of major debate. To understand the debate we need to …show more content…
To be counted as renewable, the energy source (fuel) should be sustainable for an indefinite period of time, according to the definition of renewable energy.
Another major argument proposed by the opponents of including nuclear energy as renewable energy is the harmful nuclear waste from nuclear power reactors. The nuclear waste is considered as a radioactive pollutant that goes against the notion of a renewable energy source.Yucca Mountain is one of the examples used quite often to prove this point. Most of the opponents in the US also point at the fact that while most renewable energy source could render the US energy independent, uranium would still keep the country energy dependent as US would still have to import …show more content…
The recent statement by Helene Pelosi, the interim director General of IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), saying IRENA will not support nuclear energy programs because its a long, complicated process, it produces waste and is relatively risky, proves that their decision has nothing to do with having a sustainable supply of fuel. And if that's the case then nuclear proponents would have to figure out a way to deal with the nuclear waste management issue and other political implications of nuclear power before they can ask IRENA to reconsider including nuclear energy in the renewable energy list .
References
[1] K. Johnson, "Is Nuclear Power Renewable Energy," Wall Street Journal, 21 May 09.
[2] B.L. Cohen, "Breeder Reactors: A Renewable Energy Source," Am. J. Phys. 51, 75 (1983).
[3] J. Kanter, "Is Nuclear Power Renewable," New York Times, 3 Aug
Most supporters of nuclear energy point out the low carbon emission aspect of nuclear energy aAlthough nuclear energy is considered clean energy its inclusion in the renewable energy list is a subject of major debate. To understand the debate we need to …show more content…
To be counted as renewable, the energy source (fuel) should be sustainable for an indefinite period of time, according to the definition of renewable energy.
Another major argument proposed by the opponents of including nuclear energy as renewable energy is the harmful nuclear waste from nuclear power reactors. The nuclear waste is considered as a radioactive pollutant that goes against the notion of a renewable energy source.Yucca Mountain is one of the examples used quite often to prove this point. Most of the opponents in the US also point at the fact that while most renewable energy source could render the US energy independent, uranium would still keep the country energy dependent as US would still have to import …show more content…
The recent statement by Helene Pelosi, the interim director General of IRENA (International Renewable Energy Agency), saying IRENA will not support nuclear energy programs because its a long, complicated process, it produces waste and is relatively risky, proves that their decision has nothing to do with having a sustainable supply of fuel. And if that's the case then nuclear proponents would have to figure out a way to deal with the nuclear waste management issue and other political implications of nuclear power before they can ask IRENA to reconsider including nuclear energy in the renewable energy list .
References
[1] K. Johnson, "Is Nuclear Power Renewable Energy," Wall Street Journal, 21 May 09.
[2] B.L. Cohen, "Breeder Reactors: A Renewable Energy Source," Am. J. Phys. 51, 75 (1983).
[3] J. Kanter, "Is Nuclear Power Renewable," New York Times, 3 Aug