Introduction
The majority of the world’s population cannot imagine their lives without electricity. Energy for daily consumption by individuals and organizations is produced in many ways, including nonrenewable sources (fossil fuels and gas) and renewable ones (solar and wind power). However, one type of energy production – nuclear fission – remains in-between the two types. Debates surrounding this source of electricity have been ongoing since the first nuclear plant’s opening in the 1950s (Igini, 2022). Scientists, government officials, businesses, and society as a whole continue to weigh the benefits of nuclear power with the drawbacks it has.
The history of nuclear plant disasters has significantly affected this discussion, as the damage that resulted from these accidents was substantial. Nevertheless, atomic energy has much potential of becoming one of the most crucial electricity sources for humanity as the concern about climate change grows internationally. This paper argues that nuclear energy is an important and powerful way of producing electricity defined by cleanliness, reliability, and an option for countries to develop an independent internal energy structure.
Nuclear Energy Is Clean
One of the main concerns about nuclear energy is its impact on the environment and people. To understand why nuclear energy is cleaner than many types of electricity sources, it is vital to look at how energy is produced. The name – nuclear – refers to the nucleus of an atom. Uranium atoms undergo fission, meaning that they split during an atomic reaction (Nuclear Energy Institute [NEI], 2022). As a result, the energy released with each reaction boils the water, and steam is used to generate electricity (Igini, 2022). One can see that this process engages only water and uranium as the main ingredients, and the resulting outcome is released in the form of harmless steam.
In contrast, burning fossil fuels and gas – sources heavily used in the United States, European countries, and other nations – produces many harmful substances. These nonrenewable sources contribute to climate change as it leads to increased carbon dioxide, which raises the average temperature (Sornette et al., 2018). Another product of nuclear reactions is radioactive waste, which can be recycled or stored. Nevertheless, studies show that nuclear energy has already assisted such countries as France and South Korea in “the fastest decarbonization effort in history” (Igini, 2022). The focus on nuclear energy allowed these states to get closer to the goals outlined by new climate change-influenced policies. Thus, nuclear power can be considered a safe and clean source of electricity.
Nuclear Energy Is Reliable
Another benefit of nuclear energy is one’s ability to control its production. Nuclear energy plants are responsible for nuclear reactions, and their performance directly relates to how much energy is produced and how it powers local and national grids. Nuclear reactions are extremely powerful and require partially renewable ingredients. Therefore, while a plant has the necessary materials and operating infrastructure, it can produce as much energy as needed. Many renewable sources are not as consistent in their energy production. For example, solar power depends on the weather and the location of solar panels. While some countries, such as Saudi Arabia, can benefit from the climate, other regions do not have as many sunny days or enough space to place solar panels. Wind energy is similarly unpredictable – it heavily relies on the power of the wind, which is also tied to the climate.
Apart from independence from climate, nuclear energy also can be produced regardless of time. Some plants can generate power around the clock and supply the electricity grid without breaks, running “nonstop for 18-24 months at a time” (NEI, 2022). Solar and wind power are not as consistent as their energy production changes with seasons and even times of the day. Therefore, a grid supported only by these sources can encounter periods where the available electricity supply is insufficient to support local communities.
Nuclear Energy Supports the Local Economy
Finally, compared to other types of electricity production, nuclear energy can help countries become self-sustaining or rely less on other nations. As noted above, a nuclear energy plant requires its internal infrastructure and a limited number of materials to produce energy regardless of climate and time of day. Therefore, by building such plants, a country can supply its grid without using sources that are unavailable due to its geographic location or political relationships. Sornette et al. (2018) write that nuclear energy results in “reduced import dependencies creating a greater balance in the global economy” (p. 25). A country that uses renewable sources to the limit of this capacity and nuclear energy can, in theory, be completely self-sufficient.
Currently, many countries depend on other nations to supply them with nonrenewable sources, especially natural gas and oil. Igini (2022) highlights the reliance of Germany on Russian oil, as the country has closed many nuclear plants following the global awareness of the 2011 Fukushima disaster. As an outcome, any conflicts related to any of the supplying nations can put states using these resources in a difficult position. Therefore, importing energy sources creates a challenging political situation that requires country leaders to compromise between their citizens’ comfort and safety and the national opinion on global matters. In this case, nuclear energy produced locally offers a way to decrease such outside pressure.
Counterarguments and Ideas for Improvement
Despite the benefits of nuclear energy described above, this electricity source still faces opposition. The first potential argument against nuclear energy is the radioactive waste described previously. The products of uranium fission are dangerous to nature and humans, and they require safe storage if they are not used again (Sornette et al., 2018). Moreover, the world’s view of nuclear energy as safe has been affected by a number of disasters that happened in nuclear plants and resulted in the long-term destruction of wildlife and deaths (Igini, 2022). Nevertheless, the European Commission labeled atomic power a “green source of energy,” which means these accidents are not seen as the norm but a preventable risk (Igini, 2022). To increase the safety of nuclear energy for the environment, governments should fund scientific research on atomic energy and the ways to reuse radioactive waste.
The next potential danger of nuclear energy lies in its versatility and extreme power – it can be used in nuclear weapons development. Here, the concern is political and ideological – it is believed that the increased presence of nuclear plants in countries with high corruption levels can lead to the use of uranium in weapon proliferation (Igini, 2022). However, this risk is also preventable with a global action against the development of nuclear weapons. Sornette et al. (2018) state that the Non-Proliferation Treaty “came into force in 1970,” and its primary goal is to ensure that nuclear energy is used only in peaceful industries (p. 112). It is apparent that countries’ governments are aware of this risk and are taking precautions against unintended uses of nuclear power. The solution to this problem lies in global cooperation – new treaties can be introduced and include more forceful agreements to protect nuclear energy from non-peaceful uses.
Lastly, another potential issue is the cost of nuclear energy and plants. As Igini (2022) notes, nuclear power requires substantial funding and time to establish a stable and widespread infrastructure. Therefore, some countries may consider the resources needed to build a nuclear plant excessive and continue using nonrenewable energy sources instead. However, when a nuclear plant starts producing energy, it is relatively cheap while also making clean, reliable energy (NEI, 2022). Thus, nations without nuclear plants have to consider the long-term benefits of nuclear energy and consider that climate change needs not only quick remedies but also a sustainable solution for the future.
Conclusion
The perception of nuclear energy has been affected by several significant adverse events. Nevertheless, it remains a powerful source of electricity, and many countries have increased their reliance on nuclear plants. Nuclear energy has many benefits, one of them being its cleanliness. Although atomic fission produces radioactive waste, its environmental impact is less than fossil fuel burning. Moreover, nuclear power is much more reliable than several renewable sources – it does not depend on the country’s geographic location or climate. Finally, nuclear plants can help any nation become less dependent on imports, bringing balance to global relations and sustaining local economies. Overall, more countries should consider nuclear energy and fund research to prevent any risks or drawbacks.
References
Igini, M. (2022). The advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy. Earth.
Nuclear Energy Institute. (2022). What is nuclear energy?
Sornette, D., Kröger, W., & Wheatley, S. (2018). New ways and needs for exploiting nuclear energy. Springer.