Replacement of Fossil Fuels with Nuclear Energy for Electricity ABSTRACT Our nation is on the brink of an energy crisis and alternative means to produce electricity must be found. Fossil fuel resources are declining sharply and nuclear energy is the leading form of replacement. Our research shows that the advantages to this new energy source are extraordinary and that there are many ways to minimize its negative aspects. Due to the overwhelming advantages, we have concluded that nuclear energy is indeed the best solution to the nation's energy crisis and with more advanced research and technology any future problems can be solved. INTRODUCTION The effects on the United States would be enormous if nuclear energy was to completely replace fossil fuels in the production of electricity. With fossil fuel resources disappearing quicker than can be produced, our nation is entering a serious energy crisis. However the future may not be too bleak since many studies have come out on the advantages of nuclear energy. The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) has undertaken an immense amount of research and produced many studies on the benefits of nuclear energy and its ability to produce the electricity necessary for the United States. Studies on the safety of transportation, benefits of radiation, reliability and economic uses of nuclear energy, and benefits for the environment have proved repeatedly the need for the replacement of fossil fuels. Despite all advantages, only 20% of the nation?s electricity is derived from nuclear energy. The United States has cancelled over one hundred nuclear reactors and no new ones have been ordered into construction since 1970. The reasons for these alarming numbers are unclear when de... ... middle of paper ... ...uly 23, 2003). Nuclear energy in the United States. Almanac of Policy Issues. Retrieved July 26, 2005, from http://www.policyalmanac.org/environment/archive/nuclear_energy.shtml. Fast breeder (2005). Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 28, 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fast_breeder. Nuclear energy and the environment. Retrieved July 29, 2005, from Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) Web site: http://www.nei.org/index.asp?catnum=3&catid=25 Nuclear power (2005). Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 28, 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_power. Nuclear reprocessing (2005). Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 28, 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_reprocessing. Radioactive waste (2005). Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved July 28, 2005, from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nuclear_waste.
until 1974. Since it was built about 50 years ago the reactor is older than one that was built in 20016.
...m fossil fuels, there remains alternative resources that can easily be taken advantage of. So why isn’t the United States taking this deeply into consideration and improving this dilemma? The energy crisis of the 1970’s continues on into the present as Americans search for new ways to fuel the consumption. This remains unresolved.
Carbon, Max W. Nuclear Power: Villain or Victim?: Our Most Misunderstood Source of Electricity. Second ed. Madison, WI: Pebble Beach, 1997.
The reliance on other countries for fossil fuels that produce energy have put the United States of America at risk of being pulled into unstable regions around the world jeopardizing international relationships and putting its own citizens in harm’s way. America needs to balance both the pursuit of alternative energy solutions and reduce energy usage. Our military runs on fossil fuels produced by other nations who do not have similar interests or values as the United States, ultimately adding unwanted risk that becomes difficult to manage. There are advantages to alternative energy solutions that could allow for America to become an independent energy nation that would eliminate the need to support and stabilize various regions around the world. The U.S. Military needs to reduce its overall energy usage by taking advantage of breakthrough technologies that could be integrated onto current systems.
Now, there are some wonderful and exciting possibilities when it comes to advances in health and genetics. For example, maybe heart disease will be less common, or someone could find a way to prevent any cancer whatsoever for everyone. " However, scientists now believe that the first person who will live to 150 has already been born and that the eradication of diseases like cancer and influenza are within our reach." With that being said, could it really every be possibly to treat and or care for those 150 people who are already born with those diseases. Now, when you look at the big picture 150 is a big number, but at the same time is not.
Our country is currently suffering energy-wise, we have been powering with inefficient sources for years now and the harm that it is doing to the country has started to become apparent. Renewable energy is the only way to stop, or at the very least, set back the inevitable downfall of our ecosystem. I think that the next big breakthrough for renewable energy is implementing off-grid communities that use renewable sources as their main sources of power, so that we can potentially escape the energy rut that we got ourselves stuck in. America is wasting their finite resources, such as coal and nuclear, when we could actually be using renewable sources that will never run out. Most of our country’s citizens have never thought about where their energy comes from, or they do not even care.
The major sources of energy in the US from highest percentage to lowest percentage are oil, coal, natural gas, nuclear fuels, renewable energy
Alternative energy is the world’s race as of now. As the space race concluded and the nuclear arms race died down, alternative energy became the race of the ages. In today’s society, with today’s technology there are all sorts of forms of alternative energies. These energies include hydro power, geothermal, biomass, nuclear power, and so much more. With all of these variations of alternative energy the question now becomes, which form is the best to use? Are any of them safe? Which ones would effectively solve the world’s depleting energy crisis? Of course, the country that is able to produce clean efficient energy; that country would become the new world power virtually overnight. With today’s technology, should we resort to food/corn as our primary source of energy?
...nce World War II to the present day, the technology of nuclear power has increased significantly in terms of energy output and safety. The energy efficiency of nuclear power is far superior to its counterpart fossil fuel and renewable energy. Compared to fossil fuels, tiny amounts of fuel used by nuclear reactors is equivalent to a large sum of coal. This is a no brainer. Why mine a ton of coal when a little uranium can be used to gain the same amount of energy? Not only is it efficient, it’s safe to use. Used fuel is packed away in storage safely, so there isn’t any chance of radiation leaking out. In the present day, nuclear power incidents haven’t been occurring lately. Advancements in technology and equipment used have made nuclear energy a very reliable and safe source of energy. With today’s energy needs, nuclear power has the ability to keep up in the race.
The term ‘energy crisis’ is not unfamiliar to anyone. For almost have a century this ever-growing issue has been disregarded and dismissed as something trivial and insignificant, allowing it to further intensify and develop into a critical situation; a situation that has resulted in becoming the root of all our problems including the degradation of our environment, the downfall of our economy and the dissolution of our social welfare. During the past three decades, promises have been made, projects have been unsuccessful and the issue still exists. On July 15, 1979, President Jimmy Carter delivered his “Crisis of Confidence” speech, whereby he addresses the energy crisis that America was facing due to the lack of oil in the country. In his
America is threatened by the destruction of their own environment. United States is known for their innovation towards alternative energy like solar power, wind power and nuclear power. However , these alternative energies are not completely beneficial towards the United States.
Significance: The United States must face the fact that the world is running out of oil and with today’s rising oil prices, economic and political instability in regions where the United States gets the majority of its oil, this country must begin looking into alternative means of energy to replace oil and end our dependence on foreign powers.
Compare and Contrast Nuclear Energy and Alternative Energy. Standard Number Science 3.4. Today, our society is using more energy than ever. With the increase in demand for energy, problems are presented that have to be addressed.
...he building of four nuclear plants to try and ease the transition from finite fuels.21The reactors used in these plants will be able to last longer and will run on 17% less uranium per energy unit than reactors in use currently. EDF estimate that their new reactors are capable of supplying up to 30% of the UK’s total energy. 21
Using fossil fuels such as coal and oil is inefficient, dangerous, and otherwise a process that is known to eventually fail as a long lasting energy source. Yet, there is hope for the future of energy, this new hope has many shapes and forms, but requires a chance to be fully implemented in our everyday life. Such energy sources like solar energy, wind energy, geothermal energy, and hydro power are the key to our future. These energy sources are proven to be long lasting, safe, more reliable, and the next innovation. In short, all Americans should switch to renewable energy, resulting in a safer and more efficient world.