About Nuclear power generation - facts and my opinion

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.

You can see more details here -> https://www.euronuclear.org/1-information/energy-uses.htm

<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.

( Please click this link! ->https://www.clpgroup.com/NuclearEnergy/Eng/power/power4_1_2.aspx )

( PWR animation -> https://youtu.be/Qthg5xE196w )

( BWR animation -> https://youtu.be/4bvCDheLm5A )

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