Alternative Energy - Nuclear Power

Alternative Energy: Nuclear Power FYF 101 Section J October 26, 2007 Learning Objectives Participants should be able to describe: • • • • Nuclear power use worldwide & in the U.S. The nuclear fuel cycle The potential advantages of nuclear power The risks associated with nuclear power Source of Electrical Production in the U.S. Coal 55% Nuclear Hydroelectric 22% 10% Gas Petroleum Other 10% 2% <1% Energy Facts • Production of energy accounts for 36% of the energy we use. • Fossil fuel produces 85% of the energy used. • Burning of fossil fuel produces 3.7 tons for each ton burned. Nuclear Power Plants • Worldwide: 443 reactors in 32 countries (<25 under construction) • United States: 103 reactors in 31 states (no new construction since 1974) Pa has the 2nd largest capacity Illinois is 1st. France Sweden % of national power 75% 46% % of worldwide power 16% Ukraine South Korea Germany Japan United States 43% 39% 30% 30% 22% 5% 4% 7% 13% 31% Risks • Effluents • Waste • Accidents A 1000 MW(e) Nuclear Plant would have the same effect as: Land: Disturbed Land 100 MW (e) coal Land: Overburden moved Fossil fuel used: Effluents: SOx, NOx, Hydrocarbons, CO 95 MW(e) coal 45 MW(e) coal 45 MW (e) coal Eventual # of deaths caused by the wastes from 1000 MWe-Y electrical power generation Nuclear High level wastes Low level wastes 0.018 0.0004 Routine emissions 0.3 Coal Air pollution Radon emission Chemical cacrcinogens 75 30 70 Loss of life expectancy (LLE) due to various risks in the U.S. ACTIVITY Living in poverty LLE (Days) 3500 Smoking Unmarried Coal Miner 30 lbs overweight Small car vs. midsize 2300 2000 1100 900 60 Living very near a NPP 0.4 Spent nuclear fuel (total since 1970’s) • Stored at reactor site: 162,000 units; 46,218 tons • Stored at away from reactor storage: 4,000 units; 755 tons Chernobyl • Acute radiation sickness affected 134 employees; 28 died • Thyroid cancer: 70 cases • Potential 1000’s