Lecture 11: Nuclear Energy

how much does nuclear account for global primary energy?

4%

how much does nuclear account for global electricity generation?

9%

Nuclear Energy advantages

• Virtually no greenhouse gas emissions 

• Independent of oil/gas price fluctuations 

• No significant risk to U supply or reserves 

• Reliable and competitive 

• Small-scale reactors now available 

  > better for smaller countries/grids 

Nuclear Energy Disadvantages

• Poor public acceptance in some countries 

• Waste disposal 

• Accidents/terrorism threat 

• Risks of proliferation 

what uranium isotope is most naturally occurring?

²³⁸U

What uranium isotope is used in nuclear power plants?

²³⁵U

(0.7% naturally occurring)

Where is uranium found

crust - granite

What are uraniferous deposits?

Concentration of granite + veins weathered, eroded and washed into rivers

Where are the largest uranium reserves?

Australia (23%)

Canada (8%)

How long could current deposits supply for?

90 years

Nuclear fission

when neutron strikes radioactive atom + splits 

How much does One gram of nuclear reactor fuel yield as energy

2.7 barrels of oil

How many nuclear reactors are there worldwide

450

What is the lifetime of nuclear reactors

Designed for 30-40 year operating lives  

Where is the Bruce Nuclear generation station located?

ontario, canada

how much power is produced at the bruce nuclear station

6,300 MW of power Annual generation of 45,000 GWh 

Frances nuclear power

• begun 1973 because of oil crisis

• 60% of electricity generated from 56 reactors

Human Impact of Nuclear energy

Chernobyl Disaster (1986)

Fukushima (2011)

low level waste

92% solid waster

intermediate + high level waste

8%

low level waste

stored for ~100 years, most has half-life of <30yrs  

Intermediate level waste

needs shielding from long lived radionuclides, can used lead lined rooms

high level waste

dry, tectonically stable, underground environment [Scandinavia] 

Needs to be kept cooled 

Converted to liquid + vitrified  

nuclear fusion

Atomic nuclei collide + release energy  

Hydrogen gas heated

What are the advantages of nuclear fusion?

• No carbon emissions  

• Abundant fuels 

• Energy efficiency  

• No long-lived radioactive waste  

• Large scale nuclear accident not possible  

What is Ireland position on nuclear fusion

statutory prohibition

what are the public concerns of nuclear fusion

• Safe waste disposal 

•  Risk of severe accidents 

• Health risks for those living in the vicinity of power plants 

• Potential acts of terrorism