Fission and fusion

• For Nuclear fusion

  • Could solve the world's energy needs
  • Hydrogen and deuterium are widely available as the constituents of seawater and so are relatively cheap and nearly inexhaustible
  • Does not emit carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere
  • No radioactive waste, major by-product is helium, an inert, non-toxic gas
  • Releases four million times more energy per kg than a chemical reaction such as burning coal, oil or gas, keeping transportation and mining costs low and reducing the associated hazards
  • Releases four times more energy per kg than a nuclear fission reaction
• Against nuclear fusion

  • Technological difficulties of fusion reactors are difficult to overcome
  • Temperatures approaching the temperature of the sun (approximately 150,000,000 °C) are required for fusion to occur on Earth, reaching this very high temperature and containing the reaction at it for a sufficiently long time is very difficult
  • May be another 50 years before nuclear fusion provides electricity on a commercial scale
  • Nuclear fusion reactors will be expensive to build because of the technology required
  • The system used to contain the nuclear fusion reaction will be expensive to operate because of the very high temperatures needed for the nuclei to fuse
• Disadvantages of Nuclear Power

  • Public Concerns: There are widespread concerns about living near nuclear power plants and radioactive waste storage facilities due to fears of environmental contamination from potential leaks
  • Incidents and Damage: Historical incidents such as those in Ukraine and Japan have resulted in significant economic, health, and environmental damage to surrounding areas, highlighting the potential risks associated with nuclear power
  • Greenhouse Gas Emissions: While nuclear power generation itself does not produce greenhouse gases, the mining, transportation, and purification of uranium ore can release significant amounts of these gases into the atmosphere
  • Non-Renewable Resource: Uranium ore, the primary fuel for nuclear fission, is a non-renewable resource, meaning its supplies are finite and will eventually be depleted
  • Radioactive Waste: Managing radioactive waste is a major challenge, as it remains dangerous and requires expensive long-term storage solutions. Leakage of stored waste could potentially contaminate underground water and soil, particularly in earthquake-prone regions
  • Decommissioning Costs: Decommissioning nuclear power plants is costly and requires a skilled workforce, adding to the overall economic burden and complexity of nuclear energy infrastructure management
• Advantages of Nuclear Power

  • Greenhouse Gas Reduction: Nuclear fission does not release carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases, contributing to mitigating climate change
  • High Energy Yield: Controlled nuclear fission reactions yield significantly more energy per unit mass compared to conventional fossil fuels, reducing the amount of fuel required and associated transportation and mining costs
  • Employment Opportunities: Nuclear power plants create employment opportunities for a wide range of skilled workers, contributing to local economies
  • Safety: Modern reactor designs prioritize safety features, making nuclear power generation increasingly secure and reliable