This document discusses nuclear energy and nuclear power plants in Tennessee. It provides information on three nuclear plants in Tennessee: Sequoyah Nuclear Plant, Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant, and Watts Bar Nuclear Plant. It explains how nuclear power plants work by using uranium fuel to heat water and create steam to power turbines and generate electricity. The document also discusses the environmental benefits of nuclear energy such as reducing dependence on oil and lowering air pollution and greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel sources.

1. TVA Nuclear Plants Sequoyah Nuclear Plant Browns Ferry Nuclear Plant Watts Bar Nuclear Plant 1

2. Nuclear Energy Only 30 years ago, nuclear energy was an exotic, futuristic technology, the subject of experimentation and far fetched ideas. Today, nuclear energy is America's second largest source of electric power after coal. Since our electricity system is interconnected, practically every American gets some electricity from nuclear energy. In addition to the economic benefits achieved through the use of nuclear energy, there are many environmental benefits as well.

3. Nuclear Comparison A 1,000-MWe reactor in a year generates about - 7.9 billion kilowatt-hours That’s enough to supply electricity for 740,000 households (Hamilton county has ~143,020 homes) If generated by other fuel sources, this would require 13.7 million barrels of Oil 3.4 million short tons of Coal 65.8 billion cubic feet of Natural Gas

4. How nuclear power plants work The reactor heats water to create steam, which turns a turbine that drives the electric generator. The generator, is a large electromagnet that spins within a coil of wire, producing electricity. A nuclear plant uses slightly enriched uranium dioxide for fuel. This uranium dioxide is made into pellets and sealed in long metal tubes called fuel rods. The rods are then bundled together in fuel assemblies that are placed in the reactor.

5. Actual Fuel Inside Sequoyah Reactor during refueling.

7. When the neutrons strike the uranium atoms, the atoms split, producing heat and releasing more neutrons.

9. Pressurized Water Reactor Sequoyah Nuclear Plant

10. Protecting Our Environment:

12. In 1990, oil represented only about 4% of U.S. electric supply, while nuclear energy accounted for about 21%.

17. Sources of Radiation Since the beginning of time, all living creatures have been, and are still being, exposed to radiation. Most people are not aware of all the natural and man-made sources of radiation in our environment. Doses in Our Daily Lives On average, Americans receive a dose of about 300 mrem each year from natural background radiation. Doses in Nuclear Power Plant Average doses to a Nuclear plant worker is 180 mrem/year - 240 mrem/year