The future of nuclear power

The future of nuclear power by Amber Rolfe Over the years, nuclear power has gained a somewhat negative reputation…But with technology advancing, the consideration for nuclear power could well be due a revisit.With pros including the preservation of fossil fuels, low greenhouse emissions and running costs, and the potential to become a renewable form of energy, nuclear power could actually help us keep up with growing sustainable power demands in the future.We spoke to global energy recruitment specialists, Spencer Ogden, for a quick rundown on what nuclear power’s all about, and how it’s changing for the better:  The pros of nuclear powerAlthough this type of energy can receive a negative reaction from the public, this is often due to not fully understanding how it really works. In reality, nuclear power has a large amount of positives that are perhaps undeservedly overlooked.It’s reliable. Uranium is in high supply, and with methods in place to make the fuel renewable, it could eventually turn into an unlimited supply. Additionally, nuclear power stations don’t rely on weather conditions to function properly, so energy is always guaranteed.The pollution is low. Nuclear power produces a low amount of greenhouse gases, and the stations themselves don’t affect the environment negatively, leaving water supplies and land intact.It’s relatively cheap to run. Because the cost of uranium is low, running a nuclear power plant is inexpensive.It’s efficient. Nuclear energy has a higher energy density than fossil fuels, so it doesn’t need as much fuel to run. It also doesn’t have to accommodate for fluctuating gas and oil costs, and its effect on the environment is minimal in comparison to coal and gas power plants.  The past and current climate of nuclear powerThe world’s first ever nuclear power station was opened in the UK in the 1950s, and ever since, it has been a growing source of energy, with nuclear power currently accounting for 11% of the UK’s energy (and 2 0% of USA’s).However, following accidents in Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima, there have been growing concerns around the safety of nuclear power. Waste disposal and cost are also a common drawback, not to mention worries of nuclear energy being used to fuel terrorism.As a result, by 2025, over 40% of the UK’s older power stations are expected to close. Unfortunately, the closures come at a time when electricity demands are expected to be at an all-time high.Britain’s alternative resources of known oil and gas in the North Sea will also be running out, meaning a new way to accommodate for our growing electricity needs must be put in place â€" one that takes into account global warming, and preserves the earth’s fossil fuels.  The future of nuclear technologyThe good news is, hundreds of experts have researched a suitable way to fulfil the world’s power needs and replace the older power stations with new, more sustainable and environmentally friendly systems.Havi ng examined a range of reactor designs and associated fuel cycles, they came up with six basic concepts to focus on. Here’s a brief outline of three of them:The Very High Temperature Reactor is the next step in the evolutionary development of high-temperature gas-cooled reactors. Hydrogen can be produced using thermochemical, electro-chemical or hybrid processes. Best of all, it does it with a reduced emission of CO2.The Sodium-cooled Fast Reactor couples high power density with low coolant volume fraction, and includes a closed fuel cycle for efficient management of actinides and conversion of fertile uranium.The Gas-cooled Fast Reactor has fissile self-sufficient cores with fast neutron spectrum, robust refractory fuel, a high operating temperature, high electricity production, energy conversion with a gas turbine, and full actinide recycling.The other three concepts feature reactors cooled by water, lead, and molten salt.All reactors offer a more sustainable use of nuclear powe r, whilst producing a reduced amount of nuclear waste. They’re also safer and more reliable than previous reactors.Increased sustainability is primarily achieved through the use of a closed fuel cycle in fast reactors. This cycle enables plutonium, uranium, and minor actinides to be recycled and re-used, instead of becoming nuclear waste.The reduction of nuclear waste and increase in the reusing of valuable resources tackles one of the main concerns people have with nuclear power, making it a much more appealing energy source than it may have been in the past.These improvements also indicate that nuclear energy is getting better every day, and as the available technology grows, professionals become more knowledgeable and experienced in the field.Changing public perceptionThe majority of people have a limited understanding of the nuclear industry and what its processes involve, shown by a recent poll taken in the EU, proving that those in favour of nuclear power works out at roughl y the same percentage as those who are undecided (14% vs. 13%). The highest percentage of people (39%) had a negative view, voting that the number of operating nuclear plants should be reduced.However, this poll also showed that people with a lower level of education were less likely to approve, suggesting that those who voted negatively may not have been aware of how nuclear power actually works.The outlook of nuclear power could benefit from a greater emphasis on developing an awareness of energy in schools, focusing on how it’s improving and making the safety statistics clearer. Opening up the nuclear debate could also help with engagement in the nuclear industry and energy generation.Increased education surrounding issues such as how electricity is generated in reactors, whether it is possible to safely dispose of nuclear waste, the hazards (or otherwise) of radiation and climate change issues could improve the outlook of nuclear power from society’s perspective.  Final thou ghtsThe future views of nuclear power mostly depend on the way it’s portrayed.With a shift in focus from the negative issues and past events, to a much clearer explanation and increased awareness about the positives (not to mention, the recent improvements), nuclear power will benefit from a much larger following of people who actually understand and agree with the benefits it has on the whole.As nuclear power improves, and works to replace depleted and ineffective energy sources in the future, the public opinion of it will undoubtedly improve too.Think your next move could be in nuclear power? 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