The Necessary Good that is Nuclear Power

Just as the power industry appeared to be on the cusp of a nuclear renaissance, events in Japan forced governments, utilities and consumers to pause and re-examine the role of nuclear energy more thoroughly than ever. Nearly half a year after the natural disasters that triggered a series of meltdowns at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear complex it’s more important than ever to refocus attention on the benefits of nuclear energy as a resource to meet global demands.

When looking at the future of nuclear power it is important to avoid doing so only through the lens of past accidents. While there are important lessons to be learned from such events these do not come close to representing the nuclear industry as a whole.

While most energy industry professionals already know this, the next critical step is to effectively share the full story of nuclear power with consumers and government officials. Failing to do so could mean the loss of one of the most innovative, clean and abundant energy resource available to the world.

The truth is, in its more than 50-year history there have been only three major reactor accidents concerning civil nuclear power - Three Mile Island, Chernobyl and Fukushima. These are the only major accidents to have occurred in over 14,500 cumulative reactor-years of commercial operation. There is not a single other power resource that has the same proven track record of reliability while also boasting the same exceptional level of safety.

Meeting Demand

As of this posting there are 440 commercial nuclear power reactors operating across 30 countries. Collectively these reactors supply approximately 14 percent of the world’s electric generation, according to the World Nuclear Association (WNA).

In addition to commercial nuclear power plants, the WNA outlines there are about 250 research reactors operating in 56 countries, with more under construction. These have many uses including research and the production of medical and industrial isotopes, as well as training.

Nuclear power plants also need significantly less fuel than those generating power through the use of fossil fuels. One ton of uranium can produce more than 40 million kilowatt-hours of electricity, which is equivalent to burning 16,000 tons of coal or 80,000 barrels of oil.

Uranium is also abundant and can even be recycled, making nuclear energy an integral part of ensuring the future of sustainable global energy.

Nuclear power is the only proven resource that can provide utility scale electric generation cleanly, reliably and economically in a time when the supply of energy is continually under pressure, the cost of fossil fuels are increasing, resources are tenuous, and the limitations of renewables are still numerous.

Environmental Advantages

Another important benefit of nuclear power is its low environmental impact. Extensive regulations and stricter standards concerning greenhouse gas emission are being implemented globally, and the fact is nuclear power is the only proven, grid-ready resource for clean, utility-scale power generation currently available.

Even when considering the entire life-cycle of a nuclear power plant, which includes mining for resources, operation and decommission, nuclear power remains extremely competitive.

According to an International Energy Agency analysis, nuclear power’s life-cycle emissions range from 2 to 59 gram-equivalents of carbon dioxide per kilowatt-hour (CO2 per kWh). That puts nuclear power on par with renewable energy resources such as hydropower (2 to 48 grams of CO2 per kWh) and lower than wind (7 to 124 grams of CO2 per kWh) and solar photovoltaic (13 to 731 grams of CO2 per kWh).

Within the US, nuclear power plants also support a broad range of environmental programs, including land and water preservation, wetlands recovery as well as wildlife protection and recycling. This level of environmental stewardship has not only added to the preservation of the environmental integrity of their locations but also in certain situations even served to improve them.

Economic Benefits

Nuclear power also presents tremendous economic benefits. The jobs, taxes, and direct and secondary spending associated with nuclear power plants serve to bolster the economies where they are located and contribute on a broader scale in providing low-cost high volumes of electricity.

The Nuclear Energy Institute (NEI) estimates that private investment in new nuclear power plants has created 14,000 to 15,000 clean energy jobs over the last few years in the US alone. Operation of a nuclear power plant not only generates 400 to 700 permanent jobs, but they are jobs that pay as much as 36 percent more than average salaries in the area they are located

The NEI also outlines that construction of a new nuclear power plant will provide a substantial boost to suppliers of commodities like concrete, steel and manufacturers of hundreds of components. That translates to the creation of 1,400 to 1,800 jobs during construction, with peak employment as high as 2,400 jobs.

Further, studies show that nuclear power is also the lowest-cost producer of baseload electricity. The NEI highlights that costs for the production of nuclear power have remained steady for more than 10 years, averaging 2.14 cents per kilowatt-hour in 2010. This includes the costs of operating and maintaining the plant, purchasing fuel, and paying for the management of used fuel.

Nuclear is Here to Stay

When considering the advantages of nuclear power in meeting increasing energy demands, environmental standards and economic sustainability, there is little room for dismissing the importance of its continued role in the global energy mix.

When also factoring in the massive potential of emerging nuclear technologies such as small modular nuclear reactors, thorium-fueled reactors, and advanced fuel recycling and reprocessing, it becomes clear that to phase out this incredible resource would prove to be a severe global misstep.

Nuclear power is here to stay mainly because it has to. Global energy demand is increasing at a rate that can only be met with the inclusion of nuclear power. Even understanding that, the goal of those in the energy industry should be to ensure that nuclear power also remains a part of our energy future because it is properly understood and supported. Doing so will mean the difference between being dependant on the nations that aggressively embrace and develop nuclear power or being among those that have secured for themselves a reliable, safe, economic and cleanly abundant nuclear foundation.