Nuclear Energy
Nuclear energy provides around 16% of the world's electricity needs. It generates huge amounts of electricity from small amounts of fuel (uranium) and unlike fossil fuels does not produce harmful gases such as carbon dioxide. However, as uranium is mined it is a non-renewable source of energy and nuclear power stations produce radioactive waste, which is dangerous to transport and store. But with concerns about climate change, the expansion of nuclear energy could make a substantial contribution to limiting carbon dioxide emissions and could help satisfy the world's increasing demand for electricity.
The UK currently has 10 nuclear power stations, which provide approximately 20% of the country’s electricity. Globally, nuclear power produces about 16% of the world’s electricity requirements at about the same cost of energy from coal. It produces huge amounts of energy from small amounts of fuel but there are concerns about its safety and long term sustainability. 
The energy is provided by splitting the atoms of uranium, a radioactive element that is mined in many parts of the world. The reaction, known as nuclear fission, is controlled in power station reactors to generate electricity. There are 19 reactors in the UK power stations but some of these are nearer the end of their lifetime and eventually all will need to be decommissioned (shut down).
There have always been public concerns about nuclear power stations as accidents can cause dangerous radiation to escape, devastating surrounding land and threatening human and animal life, as happened in 1986 at Chernobyl in the former Soviet Union. In addition, nuclear power stations produce radioactive waste which is dangerous to transport and store. When the power stations require decommissioning (after 40-50 years) the waste has to be stored for hundreds of years until the radioactivity has reduced to safe levels. Decommissioning is therefore a very expensive activity.
The UK Government is currently reviewing its future energy needs and is keen to replace its ageing nuclear power stations. Investment in the future of nuclear power needs to be considered very carefully against the use of fossil fuels which when burnt emit harmful gases that can lead to global warming and climate change. Inevitably a balance will be struck between the two sources of energy, but both are non-renewable sources and the availability of their respective fuels will decline and become more expensive.
www.bnfl.com | www.british-energy.com | www.niauk.org
Careers in Nuclear Energy
Careers in the nuclear industry mainly comprise engineers, maintenance technicians, chemists and commercial and marketing services.
For more details visit the Towards a Career in Energy section of EnergyZone or take a look at: www.british-energy.com | www.bnfl.com
