Nuclear energy is the energy released when atomic nuclei are split (nuclear fission) or fused (nuclear fusion). In a nuclear power plant, heavy nuclei such as uranium are split; the released heat turns water into steam, which drives a turbine with a generator to produce electricity. The principle resembles an ordinary thermal power plant, but with a nuclear reactor as the heat source instead of coal or gas.
How it works
- Nuclear fuel — usually enriched uranium in fuel rods
- Reactor — where the controlled chain reaction takes place; control rods slow it down
- Steam cycle — the reactor heat makes steam that drives the turbine
- Cooling — via cooling towers or surface water
Application
- Electricity generation — large-scale, continuous (base load), independent of weather and season
- Around the world — some countries are phasing out nuclear power while others are expanding it
- Heat — waste heat can in principle be used for district heating
Points to note
- Advantage: barely any CO2 emissions during operation and a lot of power on a small footprint
- Disadvantage: long-lived radioactive waste, high construction costs and long build times
- Nuclear energy is considered low-CO2, but not everyone classes it as “sustainable” because of the waste
Related terms
- Power plant
- Energy storage
- Green electricity
- Grey electricity
- Geothermal heat
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