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Pros
When most people think of nuclear energy, they often view it as a dangerous and volatile source of energy that can cause environmental disasters with its creation of radioactive waste. However, with careful management, nuclear energy can prove to be a beneficial source of renewable energy.
Nuclear energy proves to be a significantly efficient source of energy. Compared to other sources of renewable energy, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric, nuclear energy is shown to have a greater capacity factor (the measure of how often a plant is running at maximum power). Nuclear power plants have an average capacity factor of 92.3%, while hydroelectric systems and solar arrays have an average capacity factor of 38.3% and 25.1% respectively. This shows how nuclear energy does not need to depend on external sources such as the sun or wind to produce energy. When evaluating the efficiency of various renewable energy sources, nuclear energy proves to be more competitive.
Opponents of nuclear energy often cite the expensive costs that come with using nuclear energy. However, according to the World Nuclear Association, the primary need for capital is only in the initial staging of building the plant. Once built, running a nuclear power plant is a relatively low cost to manage. This means that nuclear power will be profitable in the long run.
All things considered; nuclear energy is shown to be a competitive source of energy. It is a significant source of energy and is hard to live without.
Cons
Although Nuclear Energy claims to help with climate change, it has other potential hazards to the environment. First of all, nuclear waste can take years to degrade. Most nuclear power plants have an underground system to ensure that the harmful substances don’t reach the environment. However, on a power plant called Runit Island, the nuclear waste began to crack open through the rocks and clay, releasing radioactive material. These wastes take many years to degrade, and exposure to radioactive material can be extremely harmful to your health if inhaled or ingested.
Another rebuttal is that nuclear Energy not only has a chance of leading to widespread disaster, but it can also put thousands of lives in danger. One incident is the Chornobyl disaster in the Soviet Union. On April 26, 1986, technicians shut down the reactor’s system but left the power running. A chain reaction triggered explosions and radioactive material to release into the atmosphere. Because nuclear plants are extremely sensitive to outside variables, it’s not safe to let these sites run without ensuring that it’s protected from these external factors.
A similar event happened in Fukushima when a tsunami threw off the temperatures of the power plants, causing them to expel radiation. One scientist died of lung cancer from the radiation, and 2,202 died from evacuation. Others had physical injuries, leukemia, and radiation burns.
Considering the dangers of nuclear power plants and the risks it imposes, nuclear energy is worse than good. An alternative, safer way to generate energy could be increasing the use of renewable energy sources like solar, wind, and waterpower.
About The Authors
Nandita B: Nandita is a junior in high school from Georgia. Some of her hobbies include reading, graphic designing, and painting. With an interest in science, she is currently working on writing her own scientific research paper.
Ellen K: Ellen is a sophomore attending high school in Southern California. In her free time, she enjoys shopping, spending time with friends and family, and learning new things. With a passion for writing and STEM, she started Preity to educate students on important science-related topics through blog posts and engaging articles!
Cover page by the authors
Edited by Prisha