exploring nuclear energy. nuclear fusion and fission nuclear fusion small nuclei into large immense...
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Exploring Nuclear Energy
Nuclear Fusion and Fission
Nuclear Fusion• Small nuclei into
large• Immense
temperature and pressure
• Core of stars
Iron is the “dead end” of both fusion and fission – it is the lowest energy nucleus and cannot be
split or fused.
Nuclear Fission• Large nuclei into
small• Critical mass to
sustain• Two isotopes we
use
235U 239Pu
Global Total Primary Energy Supply, 2011Nuclear provides about 5% of total energy and 11.7% of global electricity generation.
Data: International Energy Agency
Petroleum32%
Coal and Peat29%
Natural Gas21%
Biofuels and Waste10%
Nuclear5%
Hydropower2%
Geothermal, Wind, Solar
1%
Top 10 Nuclear Generating Countries
Data: Energy Information AdministrationUnited States
France Russia Korea, South
Germany China Canada Ukraine United Kingdom
Sweden0
100
200
300
400
500
600
700
800
Nuclear Power Generation, 2012
Billion k
Wh
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U.S. Primary Energy Consumption Source and Sector, 2010 (Quadrillion Btu)
The NEED ProjectData: Energy Information Administration
Coal42%
Natural Gas25%
Nuclear19%
Hydropower8%
Wind 3%
Biomass1%
Petroleum1%
Other1% Geothermal
0%Solar0%
U.S. Electricity Production 2011
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Data provided by US EIA Net Generation by Energy Source
U.S. Electricity Flow
The NEED ProjectData: Energy Information Administration
U.S. Electricity Flow, 2011(Quadrillion Btu)
Nuclear Energy Production
• VT- 73.3%
• CT-50.3%
• SC-49.9%
• NJ-49.9%
• NH-49.1%
• IL-47.8%
• VA-36.3%
• PA-33.8%
• TN-33.4%
• MD-32.1%
• NC-31.7%
• NE-30.9%
• NY-30.6%
• AZ-27.9%
• MI-26.3%
• AL-25%
• MN-25%
• AR-24.7%
• GA-24.3%
• WI-20.6%
• KS-19.7%
• LA-18.2%
• MS-17.7%
• CA-15.9%
• MA-13.8%
• OH-11%
• FL-10.5%
• TX-10.1%
• MO-9.7%
• WA-9.1%
• IA-7.8%
Percent of Electricity Generated by Nuclear Power
Data: Nuclear Energy Institute
Anatomy of a Nuclear Power Plant
Anatomy of a Nuclear Power Plant
Advantages of Nuclear Power
Clean Plentiful Supply High energy content in uranium
• Small fuel pellet• Can provide base load power • Energy savings in transportation
Operating cost is low after construction
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Drawbacks to Using Nuclear Power
Initial construction costs Radioactive waste byproduct Storage Natural disasters Public perception
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New Nuclear Technologies
Modular, small-scale reactors Breeder reactors http://
www.energy.gov/ne/nuclear-reactor-technologies
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Image courtesy of Department of Energy
Food for thought…
Of the 15 methods (wedges) proposed by a Princeton University study to stabilize Carbon Dioxide emissions, 13 of them relate energy use. Implementation of any 7 would accomplish the goal of stabilizing emissions.
1. Efficient vehicles2. Reduced use of vehicles3. Efficient buildings4. Efficient coal power plants5. Gas instead of coal power plants6. Capture CO2 at base load power plant7. Nuclear power for coal power8. Wind power for coal power9. Photovoltaic power for coal power10. Capture CO2 at H2 plant11. Capture CO2 at coal-to-synfuels plant12. Wind H2 in fuel-cell car for gasoline in hybrid car13. Biomass fuel for fossil fuel
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For More Information
The NEED [email protected]
1-800-875-5029
Energy Information AdministrationU.S. Department of Energy
www.eia.gov
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