The Energy Technology chosen in this topic is Nuclear Power. This is, however, only a fragmental analysis and discussion on how this technology might affect the energy policies and strategies in the UK.

Introduction.

The continuous need for renewable, sustainable, environmetally friendly and economical energy resources remains a strong challenge facing countries worldwide. Nuclear is possibly the most controversial and debatable of all methods of energy production. Nuclear power plants provide about 17% of the world's electricity. Some countries depend more on nuclear power for electricity than others where there are currently around more than 400 nuclear power plants around the world.

Nuclear power stations currently provide approximately a quarter of Britain's electricity supply. Most of these power stations accordingly are now too aged to operate efficiently and safely. It is estimated that by 2023, only 4% of the United Kingdom's energy resources will be produced from nuclear power.


Nuclear Power.

Nuclear Power/Energy is obtained through the controlled use of nuclear reactions to release energy for work including propulsion, heat and the generation of electricity. The use of nuclear power to produce significant usable energy is currently limited to nuclear fission and radioactive decay.

Nuclear energy is produced when a fissile material, most commonly Uranium, is concentrated to a level to a which the rate of radioactive decay is accelerated in a controlled chain reaction and creates heat which is then used to boil water - producing steam and thereafter drives steam turbines. The turbine can hence be used for mechanical work and also to generate electricity.

In 2005, there were 441 commercial nuclear generating units worldwide, with a total capacity of 368 Gigawatts. 111 reactors (36 GW) have been shut down and 80% of the reactors are more than 15 years old. (Foley, G. , Buren, AV., Nuclear or Not? Choices for our energy future. Heinmann Educational Books Ltd)


Environmental Impacts of Nuclear Power.

Since global warming and climate change has been highlighted extensively in the world's media, environmental groups are perhaps now undecided on nuclear power, with arguments of economics and safety being used by both sides of the debate.

For ease of understanding, only the three main aspects forming the basis of the environmental concerns of nuclear power will be discussed in the following sections. These are namely: Nuclear/Radioactive Waste, Radiation Contamination/Deliberate Attacks and Nuclear Proliferation.

Nuclear Waste.

Nuclear power produces spent fuel, commonly known as solid/radioactive waste. The safe storage and disposal of nuclear waste is a significant challenge. A large nuclear reactor produces approximately 3 cubic metres of spent fuel/year. The spent fuel is primarily composed of uncovered Uranium and also significant quantities of transuranic activities (plutonium and curium). These activities are responsible for the majority of the long-term radioactivity while the fission products are responsible for the bulk of the short-term radioactivity.

Spent fuel is highly radioactive and requires handling with great care. the main point of the environmental concern with nuclear waste is that it is significantly long half-life, for example: remains dangerously radioactive for indefinite periods of time and therefore, is classified as a long-term problem.

Radioactive Contamination / Accidents.

Opponents of nuclear power argue that the risks of sever nuclear contamination which may be caused by natural accidents or deliberate attacks, is their strongest point of debate on nuclear safety.

In the past century, two nuclear accidents occurred which significantly highlighted this particular issue. The 1979 accident at Three Mile Island Unit 2 and the Chernobyl nuclear power plant accident in 1986 in the former Soviet Republic, Ukraine, are the most famous serious nuclear disasters that influenced the drive for safer reactors and nuclear power generation.

Nuclear Proliferation.

Nuclear Proliferation is defined as the spread of Nuclear Weapons and related technology to nations not recognised as 'Nuclear Weapon States' and this is indeed a serious threat as nuclear reactors can be used to make weapons and producing even more unwanted nuclear waste.

To summarise, the primary environmental impacts of nuclear power are damages through Uranium mining, radioactive effluent emission and waste heat.

Conclusion.

To conclude, it can be stated that the use of nuclear power is debatable because of the main environmental impacts which are that of radioactive wastes needing storing for indefinite periods, the potential for possible severe radioactive contamination. Possibilities of nuclear proliferation also add uncertainties to the stability of the integration of this technology and to its safe and efficient operational platforms.

It would seem that the benefits of nuclear power do not outweigh the potential risks that if it was to occur, it would cause hazardous impacts on the environment.

It is worth nothing that all life is subject to a continuous exposure of approximately 1 rem per 10 years, that the level may differ by a factor or two, depending upon the geographical locations and that the effect on continuing study will improve the understanding of the radiation induced damage.

In the mean time, with the energy crisis and the public needing a higher material standard of living, the UK may be forced to work towards an all nuclear electricity system, with hydrocarbons being reserved for personal transport and chemical manufacturing.