IFCE Nuclear Energy Presentation by Sarah Xiyi Chen

Sarah is giving us a presentation about Nuclear Power.

Here is the summary of Sarah's Presentation:

Overview

            Nuclear energy has enormous potential to generate electricity in a relatively sustainable manner, but it remains the most controversial energy source in the world.

            Energy is generated using uranium enriched to contain 2-3% of the unstable isotope uranium-235 and placed in a reactor, where nuclear fission occurs in a chain reaction controlled by control rods and neutron moderators like water. The fission products generate electricity by converting water to steam, which turns turbines.

            One kilogram of U-235 converted in this way can release about three million times more energy than a kilogram of conventionally burned coal and does not release greenhouse gases into the air. Because of the low-carbon nature and seeming efficiency of nuclear power and the fact that it can ease reliance on foreign energy sources, some experts believe that it is the best renewable energy source for our future.

            However, nuclear energy comes along with the tremendous dangerous of radioactive waste disposal, the threat of nuclear weapons proliferation, and disasters like Chernobyl or Fukushima.

In China

            Nuclear is only 2% of China’s current energy mix, and the country has focused more on solar, wind, and hydropower for the future. China’s 13 extant reactors have been cleared by inspectors in the wake of Fukushima, and the fate of its 79 scheduled projects is still undecided. Before the Japanese disaster, problems had already arisen due to rapid development, such as subpar facilities, lack of regulation, shortfall of fuel, low-skill workers, and the threat of natural events like earthquakes, floods, and droughts. China believes it can easily compensate for less nuclear energy in its portfolio with solar, wind, and hydropower.

In the future

            After the Fukushima accidents, the International Energy Agency halved its estimate of additional nuclear generating capacity to be built by 2035, as public opinion of nuclear energy plummeted. Politicians have been abandoning nuclear energy, and Germany and Britain are planning to shut down nearly all nuclear power plants. Perhaps one of the explanations behind the recent spotlight on natural gas stems from this spring’s nuclear fear.