Nuclear Power Analysis: Benefits, Drawbacks, and Future Prospects

This essay provides an overview of nuclear power, discussing its history, development, advantages, and disadvantages. It highlights nuclear power's role as an emission-free energy source and its potential to reduce reliance on fossil fuels. However, it also addresses the significant drawbacks, including the challenges of managing radioactive waste, security concerns related to nuclear facilities, and the scarcity of uranium. The essay further examines the potential for accidents and their devastating consequences, while also acknowledging the technology's availability and its contribution to global electricity production. It concludes that while nuclear power offers a promising solution for future energy needs, careful consideration of its risks and the implementation of stringent regulations are essential.

Running Head: Nuclear Power 1
Nuclear Power
Author’s Name
Institutional Affiliation

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Nuclear power
Nuclear power refers to the electric power generated by nuclear reactors. The nuclear
technology puts into use the energy released in the splitting of atoms of radioactive elements
such as Uranium, Thorium or Plutonium. The technology was first developed during the Second
World War in the 1940s with the objective of making bombs. In the 1950s, ideas of peacefully
using nuclear fission and controlling it for generating power started developing ("The history of
nuclear power", 2011.) In the 190s and the 1970s more nuclear reactors were developed for the
production of electricity which was cheap and emission-free that was cheap in transmission and
was similar to the technique used in making nuclear submarines.
The invention of nuclear power came along with several drawbacks among which
include; unsolved radioactive wastes which are dangerous and should be carefully looked after
for thousands of years. According to the environmental protection agencies management of
nuclear wastes is a major drawback to the development of nuclear energy. Security challenges
are also unaccounted for as the nuclear power plants and wastes are preferred targets for terrorist
activities and could have catastrophic outcomes to the world’s (Gordienko, Brykin, Serebryakov.
Starko and Tairov, 2012)
In addition, the wastes produced in nuclear power plants can be used in the production of
nuclear weapons. The knowledge of constructing a nuclear power plant is likewise sufficiently
adequate in the development and improvement of nuclear arsenal. This is a drawback to the
world's security as the nations involved raise alarm on what extent the produced weapons can be
used in the destruction of other states and enemies (Gordienko, Brykin, Serebryakov. Starko and
Tairov, 2012)

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. Moreover, Uranium which is the major source for nuclear energy is a scarce element
and its availability are only estimated to last for several years until exhaustion.
Accidents associated with nuclear energy production are devastating to the human beings
and nature. It is almost impossible to come up with an accident-free nuclear power plant, a
failure probability lies and this is disastrous for some parts of the world in which the nuclear
plants are constructed ("BBC Bitesize - GCSE Physics (Single Science) - Nuclear power -
Edexcel - Revision 2", n.d.)
However, the technology for power is readily available and provides an easy way to
generate electrical power using a single nuclear plant. This reduces the production of energy
from fossil fuels and therefore reducing the amount of greenhouse gas emission and leading to a
low global warming rate improving the air quality and human life. Electricity produced via
nuclear technology will cut the cost of other fuels and thus improves the living standards of
individuals in the state (Ramos, 2017).
As of now, nuclear power creates around 20% of the world's power. Various nations in
the world will soon adapt to the utilization of atomic energy in the generation of power. Nuclear
power is promoted because it’s a reliable energy source band can be used in fighting climatic
changes because it is carbon free. Therefore, there is a promising future in the utilization of
nuclear power in the production of electric power (Anderson, 2015).
In conclusion, nuclear power is a sufficient power production source in the world today
and in the future. The disadvantages of using nuclear power can be dealt with by putting into
account the laws and regulation regarding its production and use.

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References
Anderson, R. (2015, February 27). Nuclear power: Energy for the future or relic of the past?
Retrieved October 9, 2018 from https://www.bbc.com/news/business-30919045
BBC Bitesize - GCSE Physics (Single Science) - Nuclear power - Edexcel - Revision 2. (n.d.).
Retrieved October 8, 2018, from
https://www.bbc.com/bitesize/guides/zyqnrwx/revision/2
Gordienko, V., Brykin, S., Kuzin, R., Serebryakov, I., Starkov, M., & Tairov, T. (2012). Nuclear
power pros and cons: A comparative analysis of radioactive emissions from nuclear
power plants and thermal power plants. Moscow University Physics Bulletin, 67(1), 120-
127. doi: 10.3103/s0027134912010055
Ramos, J. (2017). Nuclear Energy Pros and Cons. Science Trends. doi: 10.31988/scitrends.7053
The history of nuclear power. (2011, March 31). Retrieved October 9, 2018, from
http://www.abc.net.au/radionational/programs/rearvision/the-history-of-nuclear-power/
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