subject: How Green Is Nuclear Energy? [print this page] Nuclear energy has had a mixed time of things in the public state of mind. Whilst experts have lauded it as the green alternative to fossil fuels and to be far cheaper and more efficient than hydro, wind and solar technologies; we all know its shaky history. Most people consider the prefix of nuclear to be paired with weapons rather than energy. Hiroshima, Nagasaki, The Cold War and the Chernobyl disaster all serve as large black stains on the potential for nuclear power. But if modern experts still sing its praises, surely there must be something behind it?
On the face of things nuclear energy is definitely one of the cheapest alternatives to our modern fossil fuels (natural gas and coal.) Per unit of nuclear energy, its topping the charts but this doesnt take into consideration the start-up costs of a nuclear power plant. Those are considerably higher than a coal fired plant on materials involved alone, let alone the labour and expertise needed to conduct it safely. Although they arent always adhered to, there are regulations in place that has nuclear power plant owners set aside a large sum of money involved in the clean-up process which will inevitably occur when the fuel begins to deteriorate.
But what is cost when it comes to saving our planet? What price do you put on a complete stoppage of greenhouse gas emissions? The production of nuclear energy releases no greenhouse gases into the atmosphere, which are in essence the main contributors to climate change. But again this comes with a clause. The technology, equipment and processes involved in mining, harvesting and developing the nuclear fuel requires considerable fossil fuel input. Transport and storage are fired by natural gas, petroleum and coal whilst the building of the plant itself will have a significant impact to the eco credentials of any proposed constructor.
The big talking point is the waste produced by a nuclear reactor. If this waste comes in the form of spent nuclear fuel, it has to be safely removed and transported to a safe location. Most nuclear fuel is simply contained within a sarcophagus of nuclear concrete and we wait for it to become inert, which takes hundreds of years. The waste can also come in the form of a meltdown, similar to that which happened in Chernobyl, Ukraine in 1986. The effects of the disaster is still being felt today with a huge restriction zone extending for miles around the reactors.
In short, nuclear energy has the potential to be very green. One established it operates at a much higher efficiency over a smaller footprint with less pollution output; but its a rocky road towards this end. The potential for disaster is enough to discourage the majority of the general public, whilst the costs involved with establishing a reactor is a big bump for potential investors. Nuclear energy is waiting for an innovative revolution or technology to emerge which can solve these problems but for today, in this climate and this economy, were better off with wind and solar.
