Nuclear Power as a Viable Energy Source for the Future

Nuclear Power as a Viable Energy Source For the Future

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        Nuclear energy debate still elicits mixed reactions from public, even though it a major source of energy in developed Nations such as France (75% ) and even in the United States,19%. The media has often portrayed nuclear power as a ticking time bomb and a disaster waiting to happen. But on the contrary, the number of people killed by nuclear power since the middle of the last century (Hiroshima and Nagasaki deaths included ) is only a fraction of the deaths caused by fossil fuel and the petrochemical industry. Nuclear power is clean - it does not produce gaseous emissions such as greenhouse gases, which are harmful either to the population or to the environment. Even though it produces radioactive waste , this problem can be dealt easily with since this is in solid form and kept away from centers of population.

        A further reason why nuclear power should be a significant part of the world’s energy supply is its reliability. Once nuclear power plants are built and functioning, the production of nuclear energy is constant. Wind and solar power, however, are intermittent energy producers. Wind turbines are not much use when there is no wind; while solar power has little potential in polar regions. A key advantage of nuclear power is, come rain or shine, it is still generated. An additional aspect of nuclear energy’s reliability is the reliability of its suppliers. Currently, oil and gas are produced in politically unstable nations, which makes their prices unstable . Producers can also use this power to manipulate/ give unreasonable demands. Nuclear energy ensures over reliance on these particular countries will be a thing of the past. Finally, nuclear power uses less space as opposed to Hydro electric power which is harnessed from dams. However, building a large dam necessarily floods an enormous region behind the dam which in turn can displace tens of thousands of people. Whereas renewable sources of energy cannot be completely done away with, it is crystal clear that nuclear energy is the choice of the future.