Nuclear energy has always been questioned, because although contaminating gases are not emitted in its production, such as CO2 or methane, it generates radioactive waste and an accident in a nuclear power plant is a large catastrophe. Another reasons why there are debate is that there are experts who consider that it enters within renewable energies, because there are great uranium reserves, but is the nuclear energy renewable?
If you want to know if Nuclear energy is renewable or not And what are its advantages and disadvantages, continues to read this Ecology Verde article in which we will explain it in detail.
Is nuclear energy renewable? – The answer
Renewable energies are those that use inexhaustible energy or fuel resources that have an equal regeneration time as well or less than their consumption. Among these energies we find solar energy, wind energy, hydraulic energy, mareomotriz, etc. However, nuclear energy cannot be considered a renewable energy.
But why this is so? The answer is that Nuclear energy is not a renewable energy Because, mainly, it is obtained thanks to the fission of uranium isotopes, exactly from the U-235 being the only one that can cause the nuclear fission reaction. Uranium is a chemical element that is found in nature, it is true that there are great uranium reserves such as that found in sea water, but that is not being exploited as it is not economically profitable. So, taking into account the reserves that can be exploited currently and the rhythm to which it is consumed Uraniumbeing greater than that of its natural generation, we would be faced with non -renewable energy.
There are studies from the Nuclear Energy Agency(1) They estimate that with the level of consumption we currently have, taking into account the uranium reserves that are economically profitable, there would be uranium for about 200 years.
Is nuclear energy clean?
Really, one could say that Nuclear energy is cleanat the time when it is being generated, since the only thing its reactors emit to the atmosphere is Water vapor.
However, nuclear energy does generate radioactive waste which must later be managed in the so -called nuclear cemeteries so that, thus, they do not pose a danger to the environment and living beings. Therefore, It cannot be said that it is a 100% clean energy.
Nuclear energy: advantages and disadvantages
Finally, here we mention the main advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy:
Advantages of nuclear energy
Nuclear energy has many advantages, which a priori make this energy an economic option and that would avoid the emission of polluting gases.
- As we have already mentioned, it is a clean energy, with respect to its emissions to the atmosphere.
- The cost in energy production is always a factor to consider, nuclear energy generation is very cheap.
- With only a central nuclear energy, large amounts of energy can be produced. It also has a practically constant production, since the central only interrupts its operation for the maintenance of it. You could say that this type of energy is always working in full performance.
Disadvantages of nuclear energy
Despite having advantages that could define this type of energy as a solution to reduce the emission of greenhouse gases, attention must be submitted to disadvantages since these have more weight than the advantages, to the point of giving up nuclear energy. The disadvantages would be:
- The waste generated by nuclear plants are too dangerous: they are very polluting and take thousands of years to decompose, they can even be even mortal.
- It is a non -renewable energy source.
- We have mentioned among the advantages that this energy is clean, since the centrals do not emit greenhouse gases. However, an accident in a nuclear power plant can cause serious problems that last over time. As an example we have the cranobyl accident or chernobyl(2): It happened in 1986, very radioactive materials were released, which as a consequence brought the evacuation of 350,000 people, the increase in cancer in the population and the loss of land, animals and plants. After 34 years that area is still radioactive and impossible to inhabit, and the inhabitants of the areas closest to the tragedy continue to see their health affected. Another more recent disaster, in 2011, occurred at the Fukushima Central in Japan(3). After the accident, the country closed all nuclear plants, although they generated 30% of all the electricity consumed by its population.
There are not many disadvantages, although they are very serious, since an accident in a nuclear power plant ends up destroying the entire environment of it, in addition to attacking the health of people living in that territory for great periods of time.
Below you can see a video of our YouTube channel about the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy and in this link you will find another article our specific one of this topic.
If you want to read more articles similar to Is nuclear energy renewable?we recommend that you enter our category of non -renewable energy.
- Villatoro R., Francisco. The science of Mula Francis, Francisco R. Villatoro’s blog. How long will uranium reserves last to the current consumption rate (March 5, 2009): https://francis.naukas.com/2009/03/05/cuanto-duraran-las-reservas-de-uranio-al-ritmo-actual-de-consumo/
- National Geographic, Hitoria. The consequences of Chernobyl nuclear disaster (June 3, 2019): https://historia.nationalgeographic.com.es/a/conseciones-desastre-nuclear-chernobil_10304/10
- Martins, Alejandra. BBC News World. Fukushima: The more than 1,200 deaths caused by the nuclear accident. (November 20): https://www.bbc.com/mundo/noticias-50475374
