In Defence of Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy; an inherently unsustainable power or the perfect form of energy? The question in itself and it's nature is subjective, but nuclear energy definitely comes with a plethora of benefits. Firstly, I would like to define several terms:ENERGY: power derived from the utilization of physical or chemical resources, esp. to provide light and heat or to work machines. Nuclear energy has had a long and troublesome history; from Chernobyl, where the careless Reds proved that even 100 of them are unable to screw up a light bulb, to the most recent Fukushima-Daiichi, where a natural disaster (and to some degree, carelessness) caused a huge nuclear meltdown. The concept of nuclear energy was first theorized by Enrico Fermi in 1932; in 1938, German Scientists were already investigating the concept; these German physicists determined that by splitting the nucular atom into pieces, it would divide the nucular atom into two roughly equal pieces. However, the result of this experiment was surprising; the nucular atoms were divided into larger pieces; this process was called fission. After the results of these experiments were made open to the public, many supported government research into nuclear fission. After the two bombs were dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the public determined that uranium should be used for peace, and not war.The first nuclear reactor was introduced in 1954 by the Soviet Union. Called the Obrinsk Nuclear Power Plant, this reactor produced 5 megawatts of energy; however, as nuclear technology developed, nuclear plants became larger and more efficient. By the 1980s, they were able to produce 300mh per year. Today, there are 435 operable nuclear powerplants, and 71 nuclear power plants that are still under construction. And why are the governments of the world pursuing nuclear power as an alternative to conventional ways of producing energy?1. It is more efficient Nuclear Powerplants are costly to build, but there are some major benefits to it. US Nuclear powerplants can create upto 11.8 billion kW/h (769 billion kW per year), when compared to that of US oil-powered powerplant, which produces 3 billion kW/h. In France, 407tw/H of electricity was produced in 2004, and French Nuclear Powerplants have the ability of producing 60,000 mW. France has around 60 Nuclear Power Plants; this puts each powerplant of being able to produce 1,000mw of electricity per year! Compare this to the highly expensive solar panels, which are able to produce only 55mW per year. Ironically, nuclear energy also cost less than solar power; in France, where 75% of the energy produce comes from nuclear energy, a kW of energy costs only $0.23 per household; compare this to New England's $18.75 per household, where only 10% of the energy comes from Nuclear power (nation wide)2. It is more eco-friendlyApart from being more efficient, it is also more sustainable and eco-friendly. Nuclear energy releases 20grms. of Carbon Dioxide (the greenhouse gas that is commonly known to cause global warming) per tW/H; compare this to the 500grms. of Carbon Dioxide released when using oil sources. (In fact, the Co2 released by nuclear plants are indirect) This is because the process of fission creates the heat, as apart from burning something to create the neccesary steam to turn the power generator. In France, nuclear power has contributed highly to the low Co2 emissions from power sources; France has low (when compared to the US and China) CO2 emissions per capita.3. It is saferIronically, nuclear energy is (when compared with coal and other materials) much more safer than many other sources of energy. Nuclear energy produces 5.9% of the world's energy, but it experiences only 0.04 deaths per tW produced. Compare this with the 100 from Coal created energy, which produces 26% of the world's energy and 36 of oil, which produces 36% of the world's energy. We can therefore clearly see that nuclear power is safe for the environment, the people, and is much more efficient than many other energy sources. But the question then arises; why oppose nuclear power?The opponent will provide an answer to that question. I wish Con the best of luck with her next case.Citations:http://nextbigfuture.com...http://www.cpsenergy.com...http://www.hitachi.com...http://en.wikipedia.org...http://www.eia.gov...