The Efficiency of Nuclear Power
By Zhaohan Zhang
Usually, when you think about nuclear power, you consider Hiroshima, Nagasaki, maybe Chernobyl, or The 3 Mile Island Accident; these are all generally harmful and destructive events that have led to this outward perception of nuclear energy to be seen negatively. This isn't true at all. Nuclear power is a lot more intricate and interesting than just destruction and radiation, so while some will think about nuclear power as inefficient and dangerous, I will show to you how the use of nuclear power and energy can actually be reliable and also a stepping stone into the future of energy.
Something to be aware of regarding nuclear power is the brand new reactor being built in our very own Kemmerer, Wyoming; being built by Terrapower, a Nuclear power Development company founded by Bill Gates , this is the first reactor in not only Wyoming but also the surrounding states; this is to help in an initiative to switch over from a primarily coal and fossil fuel system to a more clean source of energy. Although we have been trying to do this with water, solar, and wind power, nuclear power is actually the most efficient and optimal. Nuclear power currently has the highest production rate at full power this is known as capacity rate out of any other energy producers. Additionally, less maintenance and refueling required sets it above traditional coal power plants- ; on average nuclear reactors require refueling every two years with less routine maintenance. . Compared to fossil fuels, nuclear fission is about 8,000 times more efficient in producing energy. Nuclear power is by far the most optimal and efficient way of gaining power, and clean power at that.
Wyoming has an extremely extensive energy portfolio, being the third highest producer and distributor of energy in the US, only beaten by Texas and Pennsylvania. Our primary energy source is fossil fuels and coal, with one-third of the United States mines and an increased investment in solar and wind power. If nuclear power is added to this extensive list of energy sources, not only will there be an expansion of energy production but also an increase in the economic system because of the new jobs available wherever a reactor is. This doesn't just apply to Wyoming; it also applies to the rest of the United States. With more than 90 plants planned, 300 proposed, and 94 already built in America, we are looking at a substantial energy expansion in the United States.
One thing to consider is always safety — the safety of the workers, citizens, wildlife, and environment. This is the biggest turn-off for the idea of nuclear power. Chernobyl, which is still the most devastating nuclear failure, was the result of sub-par, inadequate reactor design and human error. To prevent such a thing from happening again, America spent more than any other nation combined in just 2023, spending $51 billion on nuclear power research, development, and optimization. The last five major Nuclear Meltdowns all happened over a decade ago, with none occurring in the United States. Within the years since the first major nuclear accident in 1952, research on nuclear power has significantly grown and improved to allow for more built-in safety to assure that the nuclear power field is stable and safe for development.
In the year 2023, the total amount of CO₂ emissions reached 36.8 billion metric tons. Wyoming emits 260,000 pounds of CO₂ per capita, the highest in the United States. Nuclear reactors, however, don't take up fossil fuels. They use Uranium for Nuclear Fission. Wyoming coincidentally has one of the greatest quantities of uranium being mined in the state, exceeding 400 million pounds of uranium in reserve. One singular pound of uranium can generate the equivalent power of 20,000 pounds of coal. Keeping that in mind, nuclear reactors have nearly no, if not any, emissions of greenhouse and CO₂ gas. Because of its efficiency and reduced footprint on the environment we can see how nuclear reactors could be highly beneficial as an energy source.
Despite controversies surrounding the rise of nuclear power, it is undoubtedly the most optimal and efficient way of producing energy compared to traditional power generation. Moreover, technological advancements make it a safer and cleaner option. This is why investing in the nuclear power industry is not only an investment in our community but also an investment in future generations.