How Much Do You Know about Nuclear Power?

Nuclear power is any nuclear technology to extract useful clean energy from the nucleus by controlling the reaction. Today is the only way in use is through nuclear fission, though there are other methods include nuclear fusion and radioactive decay. The reactor all can use to heat water to produce steam, and then converted to mechanical work or the purpose of power generation. In 2007, 14% of its electricity from nuclear power in the world, the United States, France and Japan together account for 56.5% of the nuclear power. Have run 439 nuclear reactors in the world, operating in 31 countries. According to the world nuclear association, the world began in the 1980 s average every 17 days, a new nuclear reactors by 2015 the proportion will reach every five days. According to a 2007 story, plays 60 minutes, nuclear power made France have the cleanest air in industrialized countries, and the cheapest electricity in the whole of Europe. France reprocesses its nuclear waste to reduce its mass and make more clean energy. Post-processing can recover 95% of the remaining spent fuel uranium and plutonium, new mixed oxide fuel. This can reduce the waste residue of radioactive material for a long time, because it is short of fission products, to a great extent to reduce its volume by more than 90%.France is often thought of as one of the most successful countries, but it is only recycled 28% (mass) annual fuel use, 7% in France and 21% in Russia.

Nuclear energy supporters believe that nuclear power is a kind of renewable energy and clean energy, reducing carbon emissions, improve energy security, reduce dependence on foreign oil. Supporters also insist that the waste storage risk is small, can further reduce the new reactor, using the latest technology and operating safety record in the western world is excellent than other major types of power plants. Critics argue that nuclear power is a dangerous energy, nuclear power ratio decreases. They question whether can use new technologies to reduce risk. Proponents argue that nuclear power production almost no air pollution, and the chief viable alternative of fossil fuels. Supporters also point out that nuclear power is the only feasible course for most western countries achieve clean energy independence. Critics point out that the problem of storage of radioactive waste, history and constant potential radioactive pollution accident or damage, the history and the possibility of continuous proliferation and the disadvantage of centralized power.