The advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy have always generated controversy.

Atomic energy technology is present in many sectors. Most of the items discussed below relate to electric power generation. However, there are other sectors, such as nuclear medicine and the military industry, where these concepts vary greatly.

Understanding the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power allows us to draw our own conclusions.

Advantages of nuclear energy

The main advantages of nuclear energy are the following:

1. No gas emissions

Nuclear power plants generate electricity without emitting greenhouse gases. In this sense, they do not contribute to global warming as they are an alternative to fossil fuels.

The smoke coming out of the chimneys is water vapor.

2. A lot of energy is obtained with little fuel

With a small amount of fuel, large amounts of energy are obtained. This has two advantages:

• Savings in raw materials.

• Savings in transportation, extraction and handling of uranium.

The cost of uranium accounts for 20% of the cost of energy generated.

3. It is plannable

The production of electrical energy is continuous. A nuclear power plant generates electricity during practically 90% of the hours of the year. In other words, it does not depend on natural factors.

This continuity favors electrical planning. At the cost level, it is also plannable. Uranium does not suffer the price volatility of other fuels.

5. Low operating cost

Nuclear power plants are cheaper to operate than their coal- or natural gas-fired rivals. It has been estimated that even taking into account costs, such as radioactive fuel management and nuclear plant disposal, it costs:

• Between 33% and 50% of a coal plant.

• 20 to 25% of a gas combined cycle plant.

The amount of energy produced is also superior to most other forms.

6. Nuclear Medicine

Nuclear energy is also used to diagnose and treat diseases.

Some of the prominent techniques in nuclear medicine are:

• Radiodiolgy.

• Tomography.

• Radiotracers.

• Scans.

7. Technological advances

Nuclear technology continues to evolve. 100% of nuclear reactors produce energy through nuclear fission. The nuclear fusion reactor is currently under development. This reactor will solve many of its drawbacks.

Disadvantages of nuclear energy

The main disadvantages of nuclear power are as follows.

1. Accidents have serious consequences.

The safety systems of nuclear power plants are extremely high. However, the human component always has an impact. When faced with an unforeseen event, the decisions taken are not always the best. We have two good examples in Chernobyl and Fukushima.

2. Nuclear waste management

A major disadvantage is the management of nuclear waste.

Nuclear waste takes many, many years to lose its radioactivity and hazardousness. Confinement solutions exist, but they cannot be made to disappear.

3. Installations with expiration date

Nuclear reactors have an expiration date. They must then be decommissioned.

Approximately 80 new nuclear reactors should be built every ten years.

4. Very high initial investment

The initial investment in a nuclear power plant is very high.

The investment cost must be recovered during the short life of the plant. If the cost of the kilowatt generated is added to the proportional part of the investment, it becomes more expensive.

5. Limited resources

Unlike other energy options, nuclear energy is not renewable because uranium must be mined and is not regenerate.

6. External dependence

Generates foreign dependence. Few countries have uranium mines. Moreover, not all countries have nuclear technology. Consequently, they have to contract both abroad.

7. Nuclear weapons

Nuclear technology can also create nuclear weapons. The atomic bombs dropped on Japan wiped out the cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki within seconds.

After World War II, several countries signed the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. However, nuclear weapons still exist. Therefore, the risk of a future nuclear attack is real.

well so far this summary about the advantages and disadvantages of energy which I consider my nuclear week since I like this interesting topic for next post I will talk about different nuclear disasters in history as well as other facts.