In this blog post, we acknowledge the dangers and limitations of nuclear power plants, but examine the need for their continued existence, focusing on their energy efficiency, economic viability, and potential as an environmental alternative.
On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9 earthquake and tsunami struck Fukushima, Japan, destroying nuclear power plants and causing a massive radioactive leak. People exposed to radiation were at a much higher risk of developing cancer and suffered from mental illness. Since this incident, there has been much debate about the continuation of nuclear power plants, and the number of people who oppose nuclear power due to its dangers is increasing. However, I believe that nuclear power plants should be maintained because their advantages far outweigh their risks. Let us take a closer look at the advantages of nuclear power plants.
The first is that the safety of nuclear power generation can be improved over time. After the Fukushima nuclear accident, the dangers of nuclear power generation became more widely known. As a result, there is a growing awareness of the need for better solutions, and safer nuclear power systems will be developed in the future. This incident clearly showed power plant design experts the problems that can occur at nuclear power plants, and by focusing on preventing such incidents when designing future power plants, it will be possible to build safer power plants. In fact, the tsunami that struck Fukushima was twice as high as the wave height that the power plant could withstand. As a result, the power plant was destroyed and energy supply was interrupted. Although natural disasters of this magnitude do not occur frequently, this is one of the factors that should have been considered when designing the plant. In response to this incident, the US Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC) proposed improving the safety design of power plants every 10 years to take into account flood damage. The NRC also established regulations requiring nuclear power plants to install systems that can safely maintain operations for at least three days without external power. For example, in 1979, an accident occurred at a nuclear power plant in the United States due to a power system failure. In that incident, the power plant building was almost completely destroyed, but thanks to the safety systems, there was no release of nuclear radiation. Through cases such as this, protective systems to prevent radiation leaks are advancing day by day, and concerns about safety are also decreasing to a certain extent.
The second reason why nuclear power plants are necessary is cost reduction. Nuclear power plants, like conventional fossil fuel power plants, are expensive to build, but they have the advantage of much lower operating costs. One reason for the low operating costs is that fuel costs are much lower. According to data from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), the cost of nuclear fuel is only 30% of the cost of coal fuel and 20-25% of the cost of gas fuel. As a result, electricity generated by nuclear power can be sold at a lower price, making it economically competitive and, in the long term, more advantageous than coal and gas power generation. In addition, nuclear energy requires only a small amount of uranium to produce large amounts of energy, eliminating the need for large trucks and machinery to transport fuel, making transportation easier, faster, and less expensive. Ultimately, nuclear fuel is more socially and economically advantageous because it allows for maximum energy production from a small amount of natural resources.
Nuclear power does not produce by-products that directly pollute the environment, but it does leave behind radioactive waste. Opponents of nuclear power argue that it is dangerous because of questions surrounding the disposal of radioactive waste. To refute this argument, it is necessary to examine the methods of nuclear waste disposal proposed by the World Nuclear Association (WNA). Ninety-five percent of nuclear power waste is uranium-238. This waste is mainly stored in water because it emits a lot of heat due to radioactive activity during the first 40 to 50 years. Currently, uranium-238 generated by nuclear power is stored in artificial ponds at power plants and does not affect the sea. After that, the waste is buried underground once its radioactivity has weakened. The burial site is selected based on its unsuitability for plant and animal life in order to minimize the impact on living organisms. I believe that nuclear power plants can continue to operate because there are specific and safe methods for disposing of waste.
The final reason why I believe nuclear power plants should be maintained is that nuclear power is much more efficient than other renewable energy sources that are being proposed as alternatives. Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind energy are environmentally friendly methods of energy production, but they are less efficient than nuclear power. In terms of power output, nuclear power can generate about 12,000 MWh of electricity per day, while wind power can only generate 60 MWh per day per turbine. Furthermore, wind farms require about 108,000 acres of land to generate the same amount of electricity, while nuclear power only requires 1,100 acres. In addition, solar and wind power generation may not be possible depending on weather conditions. For example, on days when the sun is not strong or the wind is weak, it is impossible to produce renewable energy. However, nuclear power plants can operate 24 hours a day, except during maintenance, and can operate even in harsh weather conditions.
In conclusion, although many people oppose nuclear energy production due to the possibility of radiation leaks, safer nuclear power systems will be developed as research progresses. In addition, it has many advantages over currently known renewable energy sources and traditional power generation methods. Nuclear power plants are currently the most efficient way to produce energy, and with proper safety measures in place, they could be an excellent solution to the current problem of oil depletion. Therefore, I agree that nuclear power plants should be maintained.
