Nuclear Power Around the World
Teija Atkinson and Maija Pham
Sources!
Sources
- http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/current-and-future-generation/nuclear-power-in-the-world-today.aspx
- https://www.businessinsider.com/countries-generating-the-most-nuclear-energy-2014-3
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_in_France#Fusion_research
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power_in_Japan
- http://www.world-nuclear.org/information-library/country-profiles/countries-a-f/france.aspx
- https://energyinformative.org/nuclear-energy-pros-and-cons/
- https://recondoil.com/nuclear-energy/
- https://www.compelo.com/energy/features/newstop-nuclear-power-pros-and-cons-5760814/
- https://www.japantimes.co.jp/opinion/2019/01/20/editorials/plans-sell-nuclear-plants-overseas-derailed/#.XIGAxYhKhyw
- https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/1922953/shinzo-abe-says-japan-cannot-do-without-nuclear-power-eve
- https://www.iaea.org/newscenter/news/finland-eyes-nuclear-power-to-hit-climate-targets
- http://sitn.hms.harvard.edu/flash/2018/looking-trash-can-nuclear-waste-management-united-states/
- https://www.eia.gov/tools/faqs/faq.php?id=207&t=3
Nuclear Energy
Background
- There are currently 31 countries that use nuclear energy
- In history, there have been only three nuclear disasters -- Chernobyl, Three Mile Island, and Fukushima
- Nuclear power is not only used in weapons and energy, but in chemistry and medicine as well
- Fun Fact! OSU's Nuclear reactor is only used for Chemistry and Medicine - Dr. Skip
Advantages
- No carbon emissions during use
- Higher energy density
- Fairly low cost when compared to fossil fuels
- Sustainable
- Other elements can be used, like Thorium - https://youtu.be/bcjYwxrUERg?t=35
- Reliable
- Is helpful in transitioning to different forms of energy
- Companies are changing designs to make more efficient, safe, and small (NuScale)
Disadvantages
- Radioactive waste is produced and there are not standardized ways to dispose of waste
- Accidents can happen and have happened
- Mining for needed materials can cause air pollution
- Construction is timely and needs a lot of space and money
Disadvantages
United States
- Currently 100 total reactors, which equates to 19% of the electricity generated
- Production started in 1958, and halted when the 3 mile Island disaster happened
- Ranked #1 for the amount of reactors, but #16 for the total % of electricity generated
- New developments in wind and solar, along with the price have pushed nuclear farther out of the picture
France
- Has the highest usage of nuclear energy in the world with 74.8% total electricity produced
- Nuclear energy emerged in France in 1974, but nuclear reactors haven't been built in 20 years
- President Macron has plans to close 14 reactors by 2035 and reduce nuclear energy generation to 50%
- ITER is constructing the world's largest and most advanced Tokamak nuclear fusion reactor is located in Provence, France
- Disposal : La Hague Nuclear Recyling and Reprocessing
Japan
- 2.1% of total electricity is produced by nuclear, some years it is near 0%
- Fukushima Daiichi
- Had 30% of electricity come from nuclear
- Prime Minister Shinzo Abe is a strong advocate for nuclear energy
- Japan is currently poor in generating energy, but has potential for being rich in renewable energy
- Disposal : Reprocessing and deep geological repository
Finland
- 32.6% of total energy comes from nuclear
- There are 4 current reactors and a fifth is in the process of being built.
- Main Finnish energy policy is to lower greenhouse gas emissions
- Goal is to be 100% carbon neutral in the mid century