Significance of nuclear energy and its complex necessity

doi:10.15406/eetoaj.2018.02.00023

eISSN: 2641-936X

Electrical & Electronic Technology Open Access Journal

Letter to Editor Volume 2 Issue 3

Significance of nuclear energy and its complex necessity

Manu Mitra

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Department of Alumnus with Electrical Engineering, University of Bridgeport, USA

Correspondence: Manu Mitra, Department of Alumnus with Electrical Engineering, University of Bridgeport, USA

Received: May 10, 2018 | Published: October 18, 2018

Citation: Mitra M. Significance of nuclear energy and its complex necessity. Electric Electron Tech Open Acc J. 2018;2(3):261-262. DOI: 10.15406/eetoaj.2018.02.00023

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Introduction

Nuclear energy provides electricity without carbon emissions. It propels and powers our way of life, protecting our homeland security and clean air, providing millions of dollars in economic benefits and a pathway to sustainable development; and that doesn’t ends here. There are still plenty of progress and advances yet to be made. Few of numerous advanced research which will support us advancing to make world a better place.¹

Nuclear batteries

A battery with a lifespan that last for decades. Scientists at University of Rochester invented a new fabrication method that in its roughest form is ten times more efficient than current nuclear batteries and has the potential of nearly two hundred times more efficient. This technology is geared toward applications where power is required in inaccessible places and or under extreme conditions (Figure 1).²

Figure 1 Illustrates water based nuclear batteries.⁷ Image credit: Natalie Burkhard.

Insulating nuclear batteries

Engineering physics researchers at University of Wisconsin-Madison have devised a unique “blanket” that will enable them to squeeze as much electricity as possible from nuclear batteries the size of coarse salt. Nuclear batteries, which exploit the natural power for micro technologies like fly-sized robots for military and medical applications or sensors that monitor a building’s health (Figure 2).³

Figure 2 Illustrates individual nuclear battery module.⁸ Image credit: Isabel Gueble.

Climate change with nuclear energy

An international team of scientist suggests that we must upgrade our energy production to nuclear energy if we have to accomplish in warding off the worst effects of greenhouse emissions on climate change. The team suggests that beginning in 2020 we could achieve an annual electricity output of around twenty terawatts without needing to develop carbon dioxide trapping and storage technology for the tens of billions of tons of emission that would otherwise drive global warming to catastrophic levels.⁴

Nuclear energy is the reliable energy source

Nuclear Energy has the highest capacity factor of any other energy source. That means nuclear power plants are producing maximum power more than 92% of the time during the year. That’s almost twice as reliable as coal or natural gas units and three to four times more reliable than wind and solar plants (Figure 3).

Figure 3 Illustrates nuclear has the highest capacity factor.⁵ Image credit: US energy information administration.

Another reason why nuclear energy are more reliable; nuclear power plants are typically used more often because they require less maintenance and are designed to operate for longer sections before refueling (typically every 1.5 or 2 years). Natural gas and coal capacity factors are normally lower due to consistent maintenance and /or refueling at these facilities.⁵

Production of hydrogen from nuclear energy

Scientist at the 243^rd National Meeting & Exposition of the American Chemical Society (ACS) on March 27 Ibrahim Khamis, Ph.D., described how heat from existing nuclear plants can be used in more economical production of hydrogen, with future plants custom-built for hydrogen production(Figure 4).

Figure 4 Illustrates production of hydrogen from nuclear energy.⁹ Image credit: IAEA Vienna.

Khamis confirmed that hydrogen production using nuclear energy could reduce dependence on oil for fueling motor vehicles and use of coal for generating electricity. In doing so, hydrogen could have a beneficial impact on global warming, since burning hydrogen releases only water and no carbon dioxide, the main greenhouse. There is a dramatic reduction in pollution.⁶