After the
Fukushima(Japan)’s fatal nuclear
accident, and Korea’s corruption of
nuclear so called “Nuclear Mafia”, Many people have an
interest in nuclear power generation and nuclear energy. So, I’ll give some information about nuclear producing, difference about
nuclear reactor model, Nuclear energy’s
pros and cons. Finally I’ll show my opinion
about nuclear energy. Let’s start!
<How to Nuclear energy producing?>
The
process of nuclear power generation is quite complicated. When uranium(the
heavy element) was bombarded with neutrons, it was discovered that instead of
inducing radioactivity as did other elements, something different happened. And,
this process was named fission. When fission occurred, not only were two
lighter elements and a lot of radiation produced, but also more neutrons. These
neutrons could in turn also cause fission, producing more neutrons and developing
a chain reaction. In the fission of uranium 235, the amount of energy released
is about 60,000,000 times as much as when a carbon atom burns.
This is video
animation of uranium fission -> https://youtu.be/tQa4LONy9XM
(This is a brief picture of uranium fission)
<Various models of nuclear reactor>
Nuclear
power plant use this reaction. And there are various nuclear reactor models
Such as PWR, PHWR, BWR, VHTR, etc... This table shows differences of each reactor
type. There are also a lot of another differences. For example, pressure of
operation, temperature.
<Nuclear power generation’s pros>
1.
It has economic efficiency.
- The fuel cost(Uranium) is much cheaper than others. The generation
cost is also cheaper than others so it has advantage in economic efficiency.
(The rate of fuel cost in generation cost)
2.
It is eco-friendly.
- Global warming is the biggest environmental problem in the world.
And Global warming is caused by carbon emission. Nuclear plant’s carbon emission is significantly lower than the thermal power
plant.
3.
It can help energy security.
- Korea is rely on energy importation. Nuclear power generation does
not have to worry about it.
<Nuclear power generation’s cons>
1.
Risk of accidents
- Nuclear accident occur fatal damages to the environment and human
lives.
For
example, Fukushima and Chernobyl accident.
2.
It produces nuclear waste.
- While power generation, It produces radioactive waste. Radioactive
wastes are hard to dispose. Because of high cost and long time.
3.
It needs high construction
price.
- Nuclear power plant’s construction price
is much expensive than thermal plant.
Because
various safety equipment or facilities will be investing more than for thermal
plant. Also, Construction period is very long.
<Nuclear
power generation – What do you think about it?
continue or stop?>
(This is the picture
of nuclear power plant)
Nowadays,
Many people have an interest in nuclear power generation and nuclear energy.
Especially, After the Fukushima’s fatal nuclear
accident. So, some countries determined
to stop operating nuclear power plant but some other countries determined to
continue operating and constructing plant. What do you think about it? Stop or
continue? My opinion is that we should continue nuclear power generation.
Nuclear power generation has a lot of advantages and also has some
disadvantages. But I think advantages are much valuable than disadvantages.
There are some reasons.
First,
Nuclear power generation has Economic efficiency.
The cost of uranium
which is used as a fuel in generating electricity is quite low. Even if the
cost of uranium rises, the increase in cost of electricity will be much lower.
Also, the cons “high construction
price” can be resolved if we use the plant very
long time.
Second,
It dose not produce carbon and greenhouse gas.
Nuclear power stations
do not contribute to carbon emissions. It therefore does not contribute to
global warming. So, many supporters of nuclear power generation say that nuclear
power is environmentally friendly and clean. In a world that faces global
warming they suggest that increasing the use of nuclear power is the only way of
protecting the environment and preventing serious climate change.
Third, It can help to energy
security.
Korea is rely on
energy importation. Such as petroleum, coal etc. If it happens that supply problems
or rapid price rises, it cause serious problem about our economy and industry.
Nuclear power generation does not have to worry about it.
Finally, Korea’s nuclear plant model is different from Japan and Russia model.
In
Korea, All plants are PWR(pressurized water reactor) or PHWR(pressurized heavy
water reactor). But Fukushima model is BWR(boiling water reactor). PWR is much
safety than BWR. The reasons are… There
are too many contents to write on this page so I leave this link.
These four reasons, I
think that we should continue nuclear power generation.
You can find more
accurate information of nuclear. “This
site is the International Nuclear Security School” -> : http://soar.kins.re.kr/soar/KRAction?act=KIKEA110R
