How Nuclear Power Creates Energy

While most people may not realize it, a significantThe steam that is generated from the heat in the
amount (nearly 17%) of the electricity producedcontainment structure is transferred through a
for the world's needs is generated by nuclearsteam line into a turbine. This turbine includes a
power. In some countries, the majority of thecooling water condensor that helps normalize the
electricity comes from nuclear energy. Thepower provided to the generator. The condensor
promise of a low-cost alternative to fossil fuels isis also connected to a cooling tower that aids the
attractive. And while are current reserves ofnormalization process. Upon receiving power from
fossil fuels are becoming exhausted, uraniumthe turbine, the generator begins spinning to
(necessary for nuclear fission) is plentiful.produce electricity.
Creating electricity from nuclear energy is notPotential Drawbacks And Hazards
without inherent risks, of course. But, managingTypically, nuclear power plants are built cleanly by
those risks is possible and provides an opportunitydesign. This allows efficient and environmentally
to leverage a sustainable energy source. In thisfriendly power generation. In fact, nuclear facilities
article, you'll learn how nuclear energy isemit significantly less radioactivity, carbon and
converted into electricity. You'll also discoversulfur than conventional coal plants. That being
what's inside a typical nuclear power plant.said, nuclear plants have a few disadvantages.
Basics Of ConversionFirst, using uranium is not a clean process. Mining,
In order to transform nuclear energy intopurification and nuclear fission produces substantial
electricity, atoms must be split. This process istoxic waste. This waste remains toxic for
known as nuclear fission. A Uranium-235 nucleus iscenturies so extreme care must be used in its
split by a neutron. This event results in 2 newdisposal. Second, nuclear power is not a renewable
atoms and multiple free neutrons. When the atomenergy source. That is, once the world's supply of
splits, heat is produced. The heat is then used touranium is depleted, it cannot be replenished. Third,
create steam which powers turbines. The turbinesa poorly-designed nuclear facility imposes extreme
operate generators which produce and helprisk to the environment and the people who live
distribute electricity. The process of nuclear fissionwithin close proximity to it.
continues as atoms are split by isolated neutrons.In recent years, there has been increased interest
How The Components Of A Nuclear Power Plantin using nuclear energy to generate electricity.
WorkProduction of power plants slowed after the
There are several critical pieces of a nuclearChernobyl catastrophe. However, experts in
power plant. Each component plays an importantnuclear power realize that the Chernobyl accident
role not only in the production of electricity, butoccurred largely because of poor design of the
also to help regulate the integrity of the process.facility. Though risks exist, they can be managed.
Enriched uranium is collected into bundles that areThe motivation to find an alternative energy
immersed in water. Control rods are used tosource has never been greater. As a result, new
normalize the heat of the bundles. Housed within anuclear facilities will likely be erected in the near
containment structure, the heat turns water intofuture.
steam.