Nuclear energy generates electricity through the fission of certain atoms, primarily uranium, producing heat that converts water into steam to turn turbines. While it offers low carbon dioxide emissions and high power output, concerns persist regarding radioactive waste, security risks, and uranium scarcity. The future of nuclear power varies by country, with ongoing studies on waste disposal and potential competition with natural gas.

1. NUCLEAR POWER

2. Spinning turbine
blades and
generator
Boiling water
Steam
What Is Nuclear Energy?
• Power plants use heat to produce electricity. Nuclear
energy produces electricity from heat through a process
called fission. Nuclear power plants use the heat
produced by fission of certain atoms.

3. Uranium atom
Neutrons
Spit atoms
Nuclear Energy Comes
From Fission

4. Heat
Neutrons
Splitting Atoms Releases
Neutrons, Making Heat

5. Heat
Steam
produced
Steam
Turbine
Generator
Heat Produces Steam,
Generating Electricity

6. Fission occurs in the
reactor vessel. Heat is
produced.
The heat is used to heat
water to create steam
The steam is used to
turn the turbine in the
generator to produce
electricity
The steam is cooled in
the condenser to return
to the liquid phase.
How a Nuclear Reactor works

7.  Pressurized Water Reactor keeps water under
pressure so that it heats up but doesn’t boil. Water
from the reactor and water that is turned into steam
are in separate pipes.
Nuclear Reactors

8.  Boiling Water Reactor uses the heat from fission
to heat water until it boils. The water from the
reactor and that water that is turned into steam are
the same.

9. Containment Vessel
1.5-inch thick steel
Shield Building Wall
3 foot thick reinforced concrete
Dry Well Wall
5 foot thick reinforced concrete
Bio Shield
4 foot thick leaded concrete with
1.5-inch thick steel lining inside and out
Reactor Vessel
4 to 8 inches thick steel
Reactor Fuel
Weir Wall
1.5 foot thick concrete
Safety Is Engineered Into Reactor
Designs

10. World Nuclear Power Plants

11. Installed Nuclear Power Plant

12. Proposed Nuclear Power Plant

13. Advantages
Nuclear power generation does emit relatively low
amounts of carbon dioxide (CO2). The emissions of
green house gases and therefore the contribution of
nuclear power plants to global warming is therefore
relatively little.
This technology is readily available, it does not have
to be developed first.
It is possible to generate a high amount of electrical
energy in one single plant.

14. Disadvantages
 The problem of radioactive waste is still an unsolved one.
 High risks: It is technically impossible to build a plant with
100%security.
 The energy source for nuclear energy is Uranium. Uranium is a
scarce resource, its supply is estimated to last only for the next
30 to 60 years depending on the actual demand.
 Nuclear power plants as well as nuclear waste could be
preferred targets for terrorist attacks..
 During the operation of nuclear power plants, radioactive waste
is produced, which in turn can be used for the production of
nuclear weapons.

15. Nuclear Plant Future
The countries of the world are each planning their own
course of nuclear plant development or decline.
Nuclear power is competitive with natural gas.
It is non - polluting.
It does not contribute to global warming.
Obtaining the fuel only takes 5% of the energy output
Plant licenses have been extended from 20 years to an
additional 20 years.
Disposal of high level radioactive waste still being
studied, but scientists believe deep burial would work.
Because they are have large electrical output, their cost
at $2 billion is hard to obtain and guarantee with
banks.