Nuclear Power Industry Coursework Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 750 words

Nuclear Power Industry - Coursework Example This reduction in total electricity contribution by the nuclear plants is largely due to the fact that many power plants have been shut down over the past. As constructing more nuclear stations is not considered economically viable, so any such plans are largely abandoned. The supplies of standard quality carbon-free electricity have also increased as a result of fuel reprocessing from nuclear stations in UK. Advantages of using nuclear power to generate electricity: One of the greatest all time advantages of nuclear power is that only a small portion of it can be generated into large amounts of electricity to boost a nation’s economy. Another worth mentioning benefit is that nuclear fuel doe not result into polluting the environment by releasing a lot of poisonous greenhouse gases. Technology provides ready means to reprocess nuclear fuel for generating carbon-free electricity. Recycling used fuel is a great achievement and many â€Å"commercial reprocessing plants operate i n France, UK, and Russia with a capacity of some 5000 tones per year† (World Nuclear Association, 2011). Another advantage of nuclear electricity source is that fuel is inexpensive and waste produced is markedly compact. The acid rain effects are also marginal compared to other electricity sources (Nuclear Tourist, 2009). ... The environmental impact of uranium mines is also less disastrous compared to other fossil fuels. Nuclear power stations also do not emit carbon dioxide and sulphur among other toxicants and sulphur emissions are principally responsible for acid rains. Disadvantages of using nuclear power to generate electricity: Meeting costs for emergency purposes and radioactive waste forms one of the biggest disadvantages of nuclear source of electricity. A large capital cost is required to meet such ends. Waste storage issue is another big problem and large capital is also required for that to be invested in storage systems. The waste produced by using nuclear fuel is highly radioactive. The nuclear wastes are radioactive and capable of posing a health threat owing to emission of radiations unlike the coal wastes which can pose threat to humanity only on grounds of chemical activity (Cohen, 2011). The more nuclear stations there are, the more there is the risk for nuclear attacks and sabotages a lso. Despite the reality-based claims that nuclear power generated wastes can be highly toxic and lethal for the world at large, still handling the radioactive waste is not that much of a big issue and the net amount of nuclear waste produced from nuclear operation based on one year â€Å"would occupy a volume of half a cubic yard, which means that it would fit under an ordinary card table with room to spare† (Cohen, 2011). This means that the quantity of waste produced by nuclear plants is so small unlike the massive wastes produced by coal-burning sources that it can be taken care of very sophisticatedly. The probability of acid rains also increases with millions of tons of waste generated by the

Hydro-power and the wildlife damage it causes Essay

Hydro-power and the wildlife damage it causes - Essay Example She implies despite the positive benefits brought about by Hydro power, the environment suffers a great deal of its side effects, notably, extinction of some form of wildlife. With the emergence of Global warming, dams have received a lot of attention despite the fact that they generate huge quantities of electricity without really burning fossil fuels. In this context, multiple questions have been raised concerning the environmental effects of hydropower. Among them, Are dams carbon neutral? What of the energy used in the construction of Dams and the reservoir that are created behind them (deforestation and decomposition). Notably, endless questions have been raised over the impact of Hydropower on the surrounding environment and more particularly, its impact on wildlife. As opponents of hydropower indicate, it appears as if enough evidence has been found to discredit Hydropower as an efficient energy source. Having that in mind, the paper seeks to discuss the negative environmental effects posed by Hydropower with a view to elucidate on the destruction of wildlife habitats. In a study by FWEE on provision of balanced information for water as a renewable energy resource in the North West, it is indicated that, some specific impacts due to a hydroelectric power projects mainly depends on the following variables (FWEE 1). Firstly, the size and the flow rate, secondly, the climatic and habitat conditions, thirdly, design type and operation of the project. Additionally, the habitat and climatic conditions as well as, the project locations play a significant role. In terms of the project location, upstream or downstream location often comes in focus. This clearly reveals that the dynamics involved in hydropower generations affect various sectors that are directly or indirectly related to its production. McCully, in his article of big Dams big trouble, published by New internationalists, close to sixty percent of the world’s largest river system are mostly fr agmented by numerous dams and considerable water withdrawals for irrigation purposes. This implies that the massive fragmentation of and replumbing of the world largest rivers has led to an increased loss of fresh water species. In this regard, close to a third of the world fresh water fish species have been reported as extinct, vulnerable or endangered. Additionally, IEA Hydropower Agreement on Hydropower and the environment: present context and the guidelines for future Action, indicates that construction of the reservoir increased the storage water, thus covering riparian areas stream banks (23). Following these, inundation occurs. A change in the habitat conditions leads to the emergence of a new equilibrium. While this is happening, different set of dynamics begin to affect how species grow feed, spawn and grow within these regions. Though a rise in water levels increase electricity production, the riparian zone is affected since some of the vegetation initially covered by wate r may never re-establish McCully further indicates that a significant but unknown number of , amphibians, shell fish, as well as plants and birds that depend on Fresh water ecosystems are on the verge of extinction or as such, at risk (620). He further points it out that Flooding from Dams has the potential to disrupt Wildlife