Nuclear Energy: What it is and why it is clean?

Hello everyone! Today, let's talk about something that sounds complex but is actually quite fascinating: nuclear energy. Now, don't worry if you've never studied physics or if the word "nuclear" sounds a bit intimidating. I promise to keep it simple.

What is Nuclear Energy?

Imagine you have a tiny Lego block. Now imagine that you could get a massive amount of energy from this tiny block. That's how nuclear energy works! But instead of Lego blocks, we're dealing with something even tinier: the nucleus (the center part) of an atom.

Atoms are the tiny building blocks that make up everything around us - from the air we breathe, the food we eat, to the screen you're reading this on right now. Each atom has a small center, called a nucleus, which is like the heart of the atom.

Nuclear energy is the power we get when we change the nucleus of an atom. We can do this in two ways: splitting the nucleus apart (this is called nuclear fission) or squishing two nuclei together (this is called nuclear fusion).

Fission Versus Fusion

Most of the nuclear power plants we have today use nuclear fission. They take a type of atom called uranium and split its nucleus. When the nucleus splits, it releases a huge amount of energy as heat. This heat is used to make steam, which spins turbines to generate electricity. It's like a high-tech kettle!

Why Should We Care About Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear energy might sound a bit scary, especially when we think about things like nuclear weapons or nuclear accidents. But here's the thing: nuclear energy, when used responsibly, has some big advantages.

Firstly, it's incredibly powerful. A small amount of uranium can produce a lot of electricity. To give you an idea, one pellet of uranium fuel (about the size of a fingertip) can produce as much energy as 150 gallons of oil!

Secondly, unlike burning fossil fuels like coal or gas, nuclear power doesn't release carbon dioxide, which is a major cause of global warming. So, it's a type of clean energy.

Nuclear Energy = Clean Energy

Lastly, nuclear energy can provide a steady supply of power, regardless of the weather or time of day. This makes it a reliable source of electricity.

Looking Ahead

The future of nuclear energy is even more exciting! Scientists are working on new types of reactors that are safer and more efficient. One of these is the Small Modular Reactor (SMR), which is like a mini version of current nuclear reactors. They're cheaper, quicker to build, and can be used in places where large reactors can't fit.

But what about nuclear waste, you might ask? That's a great question! Nuclear waste is definitely a challenge we need to deal with. The good news is that scientists are also finding new ways to manage and reduce nuclear waste.

Wrapping Up

Nuclear energy might sound complicated, but really, it's all about using the power of tiny atoms to create a huge amount of energy. It's a powerful tool that, when used responsibly, can help us fight climate change and keep our lights on.

So next time you flip a light switch, take a moment to think about the amazing journey that electricity has taken, from the heart of an atom to the bulb in your lamp. Isn't science awesome?

References:

"Nuclear Fusion and Fission: Differences with Examples and Diagrams." Dashamlav.com. Web. 26 June 2023. <https://dashamlav.com/fusion-vs-fission-differences-table-examples-diagram/>

 

 

The Future is Compact: Current Status and Potential Applications of Small Modular Reactors (SMRs)

In recent years, one of the most promising developments in the field of nuclear energy has been the advent of small modular reactors (SMRs). They hold significant potential to address some of the primary issues facing nuclear power, including cost, scalability, and safety. However, as with any emerging technology, SMRs face challenges, and the road to commercialization is not straightforward.

What are SMRs?

SMRs are compact nuclear reactors with a capacity of less than 300 megawatts (MW), much smaller than traditional nuclear power plants, which often have a capacity of over 1000 MW. For example, NuScale Power, an Oregon-based company, plans to build SMR modules with a capacity of less than 100 MW.

The Promise of SMRs

The smaller size of SMRs could offer significant benefits. For one, they could be quicker and cheaper to build. The cost overruns and delays that often plague larger nuclear projects could be mitigated by the smaller scale and standardized designs of SMRs. The smaller size also means that the land requirement is much less – NuScale's SMR project, for example, is projected to require just 65 acres of land, compared to over 3000 acres for a traditional nuclear plant.

Moreover, SMRs are designed to be safer than traditional reactors, with simpler cooling and emergency shutdown systems. They could also potentially help combat climate change by replacing fossil fuel-powered plants.

Current Status

Despite these potential advantages, SMRs are still largely in the development phase, with the first commercial SMRs only recently receiving design approval from the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC). NuScale, which started working towards regulatory approval in 2008 and submitted its application in 2016, has received final approval for its reactor design, making it the first SMR to clear this hurdle.

However, this doesn't mean they can start construction right away. NuScale recently discovered that its reactors could be more efficient, capable of producing 77 MW instead of 50 MW. This design adjustment means they need to resubmit their plans to the NRC, which could take up to two years for approval.

The Road Ahead

NuScale initially planned to have its first power plant in Idaho operational by 2026, but this timeline has been pushed back to 2029. Costs are also rising, partly due to inflation and the inherent complexity of pioneering projects like this. The estimated price of electricity from the Idaho plant project has increased from $58 per MWh to $89, making it more expensive than most other current electricity sources, including solar, wind, and natural gas.

While the development of SMRs is showing progress, it's important to understand that the path to broad adoption will be a marathon, not a sprint. The journey is fraught with technical, regulatory, and economic challenges that need to be overcome. However, the potential benefits of SMRs - especially in terms of climate change mitigation and energy security - make them a promising area of research and development in the energy sector.

SMRs could be instrumental in diversifying the energy mix and contributing to a more sustainable and resilient power system. This, combined with their potential for safer operation and lower upfront costs, makes them a promising technology for the future of nuclear power.

However, further technological advances, regulatory streamlining, and economies of scale will be needed before SMRs can become a widespread solution. In the meantime, ongoing research and development efforts, as well as supportive policies and investments, will be critical to achieving these goals.

References:

We were promised smaller nuclear reactors. Where are they? | MIT Technology Review​