Lecture Notes on Nuclear Power

Introduction

• Argument about nuclear power can be frustrating and confusing.
• Historical context begins in the 1940s post-atomic bomb.

Early Optimism

• Nuclear energy as a peaceful spin-off of atomic technology.
• Imaginations ran wild with possibilities:
  • Free electricity?
  • Nuclear-powered vehicles and houses?
  • Potential for settling Antarctic.

Reality Check

• By the late 1940s, the complexities of nuclear power emerged.
• Transition from theoretical physics to practical engineering was challenging.
• Private companies viewed nuclear power as a risky investment, preferring traditional energy sources (gas, coal, oil).
• Motivations to continue development:
  • Promise of cheap electricity.
  • Energy independence from oil and gas.
  • Interest in atomic weapons.

Nuclear Power Boom in the 1970s

• Early 1970s: War in the Middle East caused a spike in oil prices.
• Increased commercial interest and investment in nuclear power.
• More than half of the world's nuclear reactors built between 1970 and 1985.

Types of Reactors

• Various types of reactors available, but light water reactor became predominant.
• Advantages of light water reactor:
  • Simplicity and cost-effectiveness.
  • Utilizes ordinary water as a moderator.

How Light Water Reactors Work

• Basic principle: heats water using an artificial chain reaction.
• Nuclear fission process:
  • Heavy elements like uranium-235 split into lighter elements and release energy.
  • Released neutrons continue the chain reaction.
• Controlled chain reaction vs. destructive runaway reaction in atomic bombs.

Challenges and Accidents

• 1979: Three Mile Island incident nearly resulted in disaster.
• 1986: Chernobyl catastrophe released radioactive cloud threatening Europe.
• 2011: Fukushima disaster reignited concerns about nuclear safety.
• Post-1980s stagnation in the number of new reactors and global share of electricity production.

Current Status of Nuclear Energy

• Today, nuclear energy meets around 10% of global energy demand.
• Around 439 nuclear reactors in 31 countries.
• As of 2015: 70 new reactors under construction, 160 planned worldwide.
• Majority of existing reactors are over 25 years old (predominantly light water reactors).

Future Considerations

• Countries face decisions on:
  • Replacing aging reactors with efficient models.
  • Moving away from nuclear energy to alternative technologies.
• Pro and contra arguments on nuclear energy to be discussed next week.

Conclusion

• Importance of understanding the complexities and implications of nuclear power.