Expert: Osman Kemal Kadiroglu - 2/26/2009

Question
I need an argument that can prove nuclear power is in fact an alternative energy?

Answer
Hi Greg,

Alternative to what? Nuclear energy is one of the backbones of electricity production systems. If you mean alternative to fossil fired plants or renewable energy systems yes you can talk about it. With nuclear power you can produce very large amounts of power (1350MW) from one unit. Coal fired plants produce at most 500MW per unit. Hydroelectric power plants are similar. If you compare "alternative" or renewable energy source you are talking about 1 ~ 10MW per unit.

If you compare the environmental effects of electricity generation nuclear is the most clean alternative. During normal operations no harmful gases, liquids and solids are exhausted to the environment. Fossil power plants exhaust CO2, SO2, NOx, fly ash, radioactive ash and huge amount of solid ash to the environment. Some of the renewable sources that utilize battery storage produces toxic Cd.

Nuclear energy is a logical alternative to power stations that utilize fossil fuels. On the other hand, the highest temperature a water reactor could attain is around 300C. This level is not acceptable when process heat is required. You can not use nuclear power, as present nuclear reactors are concerned, in metallurgical, chemical processes. There are reactors on the drawing board that would address such needs in the future. (See PBMR). Due to heavy shielding necessary for radiation protection, at present time, nuclear power is not suitable in air and land transport.   

Other than the hydro power nuclear power is the most economical way of generating electricity. One can build a nuclear reactor almost anywhere one likes but a dam has to be build in a very special place. So, it is not wise to compare nuclear and hydro, but nuclear is a logical alternative to all fossil power plants and renewable energy sources. Please keep one very important thing in your mind. A nation has to use all the available economical energy sources and should not favor one over the other. Decisions on the choice of energy production systems has to be made on the environmental, economical and national concerns.