Definition of Primary Energy, Advantage & Disadvantage of Nuclear Energy

1. 1
Author: M. Khairul Bashar
Student ID: 15595901
E-mail:khairul.me08@gmail.com
Primary energy is an energy form found in nature that has not been subjected to any
conversion or transformation process. It is energy contained in coal, oil, natural gas, nuclear
fuels (uranium), the wind, tides, the rivers (from which hydroelectric energy can be obtained)
and the Earth heat that supplies geothermal energy etc. Primary energy can be non-renewable
or renewable. [1]
Fig: World total primary energy supply of 155,505 TWh by fuels (IEA, 2014)
Fig: Japan energy consumption-2014 [2]
Today Japan depends on imports for over 84% of its primary energy needs. Early in 2011, the
country's 50+ main reactors have provided some 30% of the country's electricity and this was
Oil
31%
Coal/peat/shale
29%
Natural gas
21%
Biofuel and waste
10%
Nuclear
5%
Hydro
3%
Others(Renewable)
1%

2. 2
expected to increase to at least 40% by 2017. Nuclear power has been expected to play an
even bigger role in Japan's future as well as world. That’s why I would like take a look of
Uranium. Let’s have a look what are the advantage of nuclear fuel (uranium) Energy.
Advantages of nuclear fuel (Uranium) Energy:
(i) Environment friendly: Nuclear energy by far has the lowest impact on the
environment since it does not release any gases like carbon dioxide, methane
which are largely responsible for greenhouse effect. There is no adverse effect on
water, land or any habitats due to the use of it. Uranium produce small amount of
waste and it is local, concentrated, controlled and monitored [3]
.
Fig: Comparison of co2 emitted by fossil fuels and Nuclear power.
(ii) Powerful and Efficient: The other main advantage of using nuclear energy is that it is very
powerful and efficient than other energy sources. Less fuel offers more energy. [4]
(iii) Reliable: Nuclear energy can be produced from nuclear power plants even in the cases of
rough weather conditions. It can produce power continuously and does not depend on natural
aspects.
(iv) Cheap: The cost of uranium which is used as a fuel in generating electricity is quite low.
(v) Easy Transportation: About 28 gram of uranium releases as much energy as produced
from 100 metric tons of coal. Since it’s required in small quantities, transportation of fuel is
much easier than fossil fuels.
No doubt, nuclear energy has made its way towards the future but like other sources of
energy, it also suffers from some serious drawbacks. Let’s take a look at some of its
disadvantages.

3. 3
Disadvantages of nuclear fuel (Uranium) Energy:
(i) Accidents happen: The radioactive waste can possess a threat to the environment
and is dangerous for humans as for example, Fukushima nuclear accident [5]
.
(ii) Waste management: One of the main disadvantages is the difficulty in the
management of uranium waste. It takes many years to eliminate its radioactivity
and risks [6]
.
(iii) Found in limited quantities around the world.
(iv) There are number of restrictions on the export or import uranium.
(v) Safety issues associated with uranium power are hard to be overlooked.
References
1. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Primary_energy .
2. https://goo.gl/wB7BXS
3. http://www.conserve-energy-future.com/Advantages_NuclearEnergy.php
4. http://nuclear-energy.net/advantages-and-disadvantages-of-nuclear-energy.html
5. http://energyinformative.org/nuclear-energy-pros-and-cons/