Alternative Energy in the UK - Essay Example

Student Name: Institution: Date Thesis statement This essay is going to look at nuclear power energy, the costs involved and building a new power station and maintenance expenses. This essay will also discuss the pros and cons of power energy. The essay urges that nuclear power has the potential to serve electric needs of the people living in UK. If nuclear energy is executed extensively and its potential is well exploited then it will generate enough energy for the country. Introduction There are two kinds of energy source namely alternative energy sources and conventional energy sources (Cooper, 2000) .Alternative sources are renewable while conventional sources are not. Wind hydro system produces electric energy by combing wind turbines and pumped storage. Solar energy is the production of electricity from the sun. There are thermal and electric solar energy. Hydrogen power is utilized as clean fuel for spaceships and some kind of cars. Nuclear power and cost Nuclear power is produced using Uranium. Uranium is a metal mined in several parts of the globe. Nuclear energy is a strong source of energy produced through a nuclear reaction by a change in the nucleus of an atom. Nuclear power generates large quantities of energy from small quantities of fuels and generates less pollution compared to burning fossil fuels (Cohen, 1990). Nuclear energy is produced through two techniques namely nuclear fission and nuclear fusion. During nuclear fission reaction, the nucleus of a powerful element like uranium or thorium splits up into slight nuclei when barraged by low energy neutrons. A large quantity of heat is produced during this process and it is applied in nuclear plants to produce electricity. Nuclear fusion process entails the mixture of fusion of two light elements to create a heavier element and generate uncontrollable energy (Cohen, 1990). Hence it is impossible to use this method to produce electricity. The sun is an example of nuclear fusion reaction. The heat and light generated by the sun is due to the persistent reactions taking place. The estimated expenses of a standard 1,000 MWe, reload is around $40 million. This is based on 18-month refueling phase. The standard fuel cost at a nuclear energy station in 2011 was 0.68kWh. Nuclear fuel prices are not subject to volatility when compared to natural gas since nuclear plants refuel after 18-24 months cycle. The expenses involved in generating nuclear electricity at a station, processes and maintenance have been reducing over recent decades. For instance in 1998 the standard production cost for the U.S nuclear fleet was 2.13 cents per kilowatt-hour down 3.04 cents from the previous year. Advantages of Nuclear Energy When compared to other conventional sources of energy, nuclear power releases very less quantity of pollution (Ewan, 2007). Because it is required in small amounts, it is very easy to transport atomic raw materials to far distance locations at a global scale. Hence, transportation is easy except when considering the security element. In case nuclear power plants are run up to their whole capacity they can generate cheap electricity (Mathias 2012). It requires less quantity of raw materials to produce huge quantity of nuclear energy. For instance, around 28g of uranium generates produces more energy than 100 metric tones of coal. Nuclear plant maintenance and running costs is reasonably low. Nuclear energy is recognized and developed technology ready for market. It produces large amount of energy capable of supplying industries and city energy requirements as compared to low-power technologies such as solar that cannot meet energy generation for heavy manufacturing (Ewan, 2007). Nuclear energy source is very reliable. The standard life span of a nuclear reactor is around 40 years and can be expanded up to 60 years. Nuclear power has a huge potential in the future since nuclear power plants are effective and do not produce much pollution compared to other sources of energy. Nuclear power production does not emit green house gases and hence, nuclear power plants contribution to global warming is rather slight (Zvi, 2012). Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy Changes happen in the composition of the nuclei of atoms. These alterations are known as nuclear reaction. Nuclear energy is generated naturally and in man-made processes under human control. Issues of radioactive pollutants are not yet solved. The waste produced from nuclear energy is very dangerous and it needs to be investigated carefully. There are high chances of risk. In spite of extreme levels of security accidents are bound to happen. It is technically not possible to construct a plant with 100% security. A slight probability of failure will often last. The outcomes of an accident would be extremely devastating for both people and nature. Construction f more power plants and nuclear wastes storage the higher is the likelihood of a grievous failure somewhere in the globe. During nuclear power processing, radioactive waste is generated (Bream, 2006). This can be used in production of nuclear weapons. Further, the same technology applied to produce nuclear energy can be applied to create nuclear weapons known as nuclear proliferation. Terrorist attackers can target nuclear power plants and nuclear waste. There is no atomic energy station in the globe that can handle an attack like the 9/11 in New York. Such a terrorist attack consequences would be catastrophic for the entire world. It is broadly accepted as rather dangerous, potentially difficult but controllable source of producing electricity. Shipping nuclear waste globally poses an intensified potential risk to interception to terrorism. Increasing the quantity of waste transported especially in insecure countries is viewed as a considerable increase in risk to nuclear terrorism. It is not easy to handle radiation particularly in nuclear waste and maintenance materials and costly solutions are required to manage and safeguard both human beings and nature from destruction. Uranium which is the main raw material for nuclear energy production is scarce (Ewan, 2007). Its supply is approximated to last about 30 to 60 years depending on the definite demand. The amount of time required for formalities, designing and construction of a new nuclear power production plant is about 20 to 30 years in the western countries. That means it’s almost impossible to build a new nuclear plant within a short period. Nuclear is a centralized source of power necessitating huge infrastructure, investment and coordination where decentralized sources such as wind or solar can be more effective, cheap and more resilient. It is very expensive to build a power plant because of complicated radiation containment machines and processes (Bream, 2006). High subsidies are required for building and functioning and also loan guarantees. Subsidies and investment can be spent on other solution for instance, renewable energy systems. Waivers are needed to reduce liability for companies in case of an accident. This implies that either no one will be liable for environmental, physical or health harms in the event of an accident or ultimately leakage from waste storage or that the administration will eventually have to cover the expenses of any damages (Mathias 2012). Nuclear locations According to edfenergy.com (2013) Hinkley point b nuclear power station is located in Bridgwater on the Bristol Channel coast of south west England. It was built in 1976 and reactors were supplied by TNPG and the turbines by GEC. It has two reactors that produce 420MWe, approximately 70% of filled capacity. The net electrical output is about 870MW. It is capable of generating electricity for about 1.5 homes. Its estimated closing year is 2023. Sizewell nuclear power plants are two nuclear stations next to a little fishing village in Suffolk, England. According to edfenergy.com (2013) Sizewell A has two magnox reactors and is in the process of being decommissioned while Sizewell B has one pressurized water reactor and is the modern UK nuclear power plant. There are plans to build a third power plant. They net electrical output is about 1191MW. Sizewell B can generate energy for 2.5 million homes. That is approximately equal to the everyday domestic needs of Suffolk and Norfolk. It is capable of generating under 35 of the UK’s total electricity needs. Its estimated decommissioning date is 2035. Heysham power plant is divided into Heysham 1 and Heysham 2. They have two advanced gas-cooled reactors which generate adequate energy to cover 2.5 million homes each. They contribute 22.3% of the UK’s electric energy with a total capacity of about 2370MW. Solution Carbon dioxide is released to the earth atmosphere daily. This will still exist even after a hundred years to come. This increased amount of carbon dioxide intensifies the warmth of earth and results in global warming. The solution to minimize global warming is to replace and retrofit present technologies with alternatives that have enhanced performance and do not release carbon dioxide. This is use of alternate energy such as solar, wind and other renewable sources. Changes in climate, population growth and fossil fuel exhaustion implies that renewable energy sources will need to play a major part in the future than at present. Alternative energy sources does not produce undesired outcomes for instance, nuclear energy. They are renewable and said to be free energy sources. They all emit low amounts of carbon dioxide compared to conventional energy sources. Use of clean alternative energies for instance, use of home solar power will assist man to survive through 21st century and beyond. References Ewan M. (2007) Nuclear Power: The Pros and Cons: Rosen publishing Bream, R (2006) We See the Dawn of an Atomic Age. Financial Times: Viewed on http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/1/f2b207a6-ef04-11da-b435-0000779e2340.html#axzz2R10WFI6r Cohen, B (1990) The Nuclear Energy Option, Plenum Press, NY Cooper, M (2000) Energy and the Environment. CQ Researcher 10 (8), Congressional Quarterly Press, 3 http://www.edfenergy.com/energyfuture/edf-energys-approach-why-we-choose-new-nuclear/current-nuclear-sites Mathias A. (2012) Nuclear energy pros and cons: viewed from http://energyinformative.org/nuclear-energy-pros-and-cons/ Zvi D (2012) Sunday Dialogue: Nuclear Energy, Pro and Con: Pittsburgh. Viewed from; http://www.nytimes.com/2012/02/26/opinion/sunday/sunday-dialogue-nuclear-energy-pro-and-con.html?pagewanted=all&_r=0 Read More

Advantages of Nuclear Energy When compared to other conventional sources of energy, nuclear power releases very less quantity of pollution (Ewan, 2007). Because it is required in small amounts, it is very easy to transport atomic raw materials to far distance locations at a global scale. Hence, transportation is easy except when considering the security element. In case nuclear power plants are run up to their whole capacity they can generate cheap electricity (Mathias 2012). It requires less quantity of raw materials to produce huge quantity of nuclear energy.

For instance, around 28g of uranium generates produces more energy than 100 metric tones of coal. Nuclear plant maintenance and running costs is reasonably low. Nuclear energy is recognized and developed technology ready for market. It produces large amount of energy capable of supplying industries and city energy requirements as compared to low-power technologies such as solar that cannot meet energy generation for heavy manufacturing (Ewan, 2007). Nuclear energy source is very reliable. The standard life span of a nuclear reactor is around 40 years and can be expanded up to 60 years.

Nuclear power has a huge potential in the future since nuclear power plants are effective and do not produce much pollution compared to other sources of energy. Nuclear power production does not emit green house gases and hence, nuclear power plants contribution to global warming is rather slight (Zvi, 2012). Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy Changes happen in the composition of the nuclei of atoms. These alterations are known as nuclear reaction. Nuclear energy is generated naturally and in man-made processes under human control.

Issues of radioactive pollutants are not yet solved. The waste produced from nuclear energy is very dangerous and it needs to be investigated carefully. There are high chances of risk. In spite of extreme levels of security accidents are bound to happen. It is technically not possible to construct a plant with 100% security. A slight probability of failure will often last. The outcomes of an accident would be extremely devastating for both people and nature. Construction f more power plants and nuclear wastes storage the higher is the likelihood of a grievous failure somewhere in the globe.

During nuclear power processing, radioactive waste is generated (Bream, 2006). This can be used in production of nuclear weapons. Further, the same technology applied to produce nuclear energy can be applied to create nuclear weapons known as nuclear proliferation. Terrorist attackers can target nuclear power plants and nuclear waste. There is no atomic energy station in the globe that can handle an attack like the 9/11 in New York. Such a terrorist attack consequences would be catastrophic for the entire world.

It is broadly accepted as rather dangerous, potentially difficult but controllable source of producing electricity. Shipping nuclear waste globally poses an intensified potential risk to interception to terrorism. Increasing the quantity of waste transported especially in insecure countries is viewed as a considerable increase in risk to nuclear terrorism. It is not easy to handle radiation particularly in nuclear waste and maintenance materials and costly solutions are required to manage and safeguard both human beings and nature from destruction.

Uranium which is the main raw material for nuclear energy production is scarce (Ewan, 2007). Its supply is approximated to last about 30 to 60 years depending on the definite demand. The amount of time required for formalities, designing and construction of a new nuclear power production plant is about 20 to 30 years in the western countries. That means it’s almost impossible to build a new nuclear plant within a short period. Nuclear is a centralized source of power necessitating huge infrastructure, investment and coordination where decentralized sources such as wind or solar can be more effective, cheap and more resilient.

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