Abstract This paper discusses the impact on society of nuclearpowergenerationtechnology. It describes the history of the global prominence that nuclearpower has attained and the role it has played in the shifting of popular attitudes towards science and technology, in general. The paper shows how this technology - although critical to the production of energy in places such as Ontario - is also viewed with fear and scepticism by much of the population.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
Popular Fears of NuclearPower The Post-Chernobyl Costs of NuclearPower The Future Role of NuclearPower in Our Society
Conclusion
From the Paper "Unless science and technology discover some previously unknown form of energy, it is clear that nuclear power technology - despite popular anxiety - is likely to expand its significance in our society in the future. There is simply no alternative energy supply to fossil fuels that can offer the large amounts of energy that nuclear power offers. Moreover, in a political environment where fossil fuels are also viewed with considerable negativity among the public for contributing to pollution and global warming, even the negative optics of nuclear power may be lessened in comparison. Thus, while it is admittedly impossible to make certain predictions about the future role of nuclear power in our society given the variables of public opinion as well as the political, economic and environmental issues to be considered, nevertheless I believe that in the immediate future humanity will be compelled to revisit the use of nuclear power to sustain itself."
Abstract The paper discusses the two alternatives of nuclearpower and hybrid cars; both being economical enough to impact real change and be accepted into the energy spectrum. However, nuclearpower has far more impact and has a proven track record. For example, the paper explains how nuclearpower currently accounts for 20% of America's energy production and produces no carbon-dioxide. Hybrid cars, to this point, have only been able to reduce CO2 emissions by 50% and improve gas mileage by 2-3 mpg. This type of effect is simply on too small a scale to be economically viable or have an impact on the environment. The paper concludes that nuclearpower, which is reemerging as a power source ready to expand, is the more viable option to reduce CO2 emissions.
From the Paper "For years alternative energy sources have been a major controversy. The debate has influenced many other areas besides simply energy consumption. It has clearly impacted the economic, political, and social climates of countries around the world. Nuclear power and hybrid cars are two alternatives that have been economical enough to impact real change and be accepted into our energy spectrum. Both of these alternatives are environmentally conscious and are helping to reduce carbon-dioxide levels in the atmosphere; however, clearly one is of greater use in the fight against CO2. Nuclear power has and will continue to be the major clean fuel source in the US, despite the positive impact of hybrid automobiles."
Abstract This paper examines the hazardous situation of the nuclearpower system in the former Soviet Union, focusing on Russia and its determination to pursue nuclearpower as an energy source. The paper discusses nuclearpower development plans in Russia and provides statistics on nuclearpower facilities.
From the Paper "This report examines the situation of the nuclear power system in the former Soviet Union focusing on Russia, in which government remains determined to pursue development of needed energy sources via nuclear power plant construction. However, the literature reveals that prior to the collapse of the former Soviet Union the region's operating nuclear power plant facilities were largely unsafe, poorly maintained and operated unprofessionally. Poor waste disposal, dumping of wastes on open land and numerous accidents or other hazardous incidents..."
Abstract This paper gives the pros and cons of nuclearpower plants, and what Christian Stewards can do about the issue. It also gives a briefing on the problems at Oyster Creek nuclearpower plant in New Jersey and what is being done to address these problems.
Abstract This paper describes the outlook for American companies in the electrical powergenerating equipment industry. The author evaluates the trend toward globalization within the industry. The paper examines the industry's dependence on international, not local, suppliers.
From the Paper "The twentieth century witnessed advances in logistics, communications, transportation and other technologies that made it possible for companies to reach international markets at a pace unlike a ..."
Abstract This paper looks at concerns associated with nuclearpower and breaks them down into three perspectives: emotional, logical, and ethical. The paper first discusses the emotional perspective, noting that it is one that is very easy to understand. The paper then discusses the issue from a logical perspective and argues that, from this perspective, the emotional concerns about nuclear energy are unfounded for several reasons. The paper presents these reasons and then discusses the ethical perspective, explaining that this perspective is closely related to the logical perspective. The paper concludes that all human endeavors of large scale involve certain risks and just as we do not prohibit vehicular travel, we should not worry about using nuclear energy in principle. Rather, the focus of ethical concerns should be to ensure appropriate management and oversight of nuclearpowergeneration and not on whether or not nuclear energy should be used.
From the Paper "When Albert Einstein introduced his Special Theory of Relativity in 1905, he revolutionized the future of man on Earth. One of the implications of Einstein's theory, represented by the infamous equation E = mc2 was the equivalence of mass and energy. This equivalence meant that very small amounts of energy represented tremendous amounts of energy, which could be released through nuclear fission (Rennie, 2003)."
Abstract The paper explores how the United Kingdom can use tidal energy to produce consistent alternative electricity. The paper looks at the two basic options for converting the kinetic energy of the tides into electrical energy. The paper examines the tidal powergenerationtechnology and the capital costs necessary and then considers the environmental impact represented by these tidal generation options.
The paper concludes that tidal power has the potential to provide a significant portion of the United Kingdom's energy needs.
Outline:
Introduction: Coastal UK and Tidal Power Technical Considerations
Economics of Tidal Power Environmental Impact of Tidal Power Conclusions
From the Paper "Developing alternative energy technologies that are reliable and site-specific can be difficult. Because alternative energy systems typically rely on locally available energy resources, they are not applicable in all situations and all circumstances. It is important to consider the potential energy resources of a given region prior to selecting an energy technology for development. For instance, it would be foolish to suggest the use of solar technology in a predominantly cloudy region, or a hydroelectric facility for an area that only seasonally has running water. The most important first consideration is to consider the site, and then determine what is the most reliable, locally available energy resource."
Abstract This paper looks at both sides of the nuclearpower debate. It focuses on global warming, political violence and the likelihood of change. The author looks at Chernobyl, and Three Mile lsland and how activists on both sides used it to further their message. It also looks at different facilities, their monitoring processes and ways to decrease the chances of accidents occurring in these plants. It also looks at recent incidents at nuclear facilities in the United States, Japan and Germany that have led to the re-evaluation of those government's nuclear policies. As a final note, the author presents many examples of demonstrations against the use of nuclearpower, worldwide, to show how this has become a global issue.
From the Paper "Yet, dissenting voices call attention to the dangers of nuclear power: specifically, the devastating effects of the explosion at Chernobyl of the former Soviet Union in 1986, and the contamination of the plant Three Mile Island in Pennsylvania which happened earlier, in 1979. The Chernobyl explosion sent nuclear fallout for miles immediately surrounding the plant, making much of the land uninhabitable. In addition, radiation that caused severe environmental damage to the surrounding areas has been attributed to rising cancer rates throughout Europe. Though the plant at Three Mile Island did not suffer such a catastrophe due to a containment facility, which prevented radioactive materials from being released into the atmosphere, and therefore avoided severe environmental damage, the plant is now thoroughly contaminated, and it cannot be destroyed. Environmentalists argue that increased safety precautions are not enough; accidents like the aforementioned can, and will, happen again. The sound the call not for more nuclear power plants, but the halt of production of new nuclear power plants, and in some cases, argue that nuclear energy in its entirety should be phased out of the energy equation (Janger et. al., 219)."
Abstract This paper examines how nuclearpower is one of the most divisive issues in America today and how opponents of nuclearpower have succeeded in convincing people to oppose the construction of new plants and to fight the relicensing of old plants. It puts forth some of the arguments from both sides to support their positions and looks at issues such as the question of safety and need for nuclearpower plants and the of storing nuclear waste. It analyzes how proponents of nuclearpower present convincing arguments for the continued and expanded uses of nuclearpower in this country and how they claim that the objections raised by opponents lack validity and are contrary to the facts and our experience.
From the Paper "The opponents of nuclear power focus on the inherent lack of safety that they believe that the use of nuclear power entails. This includes both the dangers of radiation from nuclear power plants and the possibility of a catastrophic accident. First, the opponents say that radiation levels are higher in areas around nuclear power plants, and this leads to an increased number of deaths from cancer. They cite the case of the Pilgrim Nuclear Power Station in Plymouth, Massachusetts that went online in 1988. Responding to the concerns of local residents, the state conducted a study which found that there were fifty percent more cancer cases in the five towns around the plant than there were in the rest of the state. The power company had said that people in the area would receive 400 times less radiation from the plant than they would from natural sources. Further studies showed that the risk of getting cancer was four times higher for people living within ten miles of the plant than for other parts of the state. "
Abstract In order to make a judgement of the physics viability of nuclearpower as an energy source for Australia, this paper explains how nuclear energy is produced, disposed of, sourced, and maintained in light of Australia's unique environment and population distribution. The paper discusses the efficiency of using nuclear energy as well as Australia's huge availability of uranium and its ample waste storage space. The paper concludes that nuclear energy is definitely a viable method of energy for Australia but recommends that stringent laws and regulations be made to enforce adequate training of nuclear staff to minimise the risk of disasters. The paper includes a diagram of how nuclearpower is produced and a map of mining locations in Australia.
From the Paper "Nuclear energy is generated by the fission of the uranium 235 isotope. U-235 is the ideal fuel for power generation because it is able to sustain a chain reaction and release energy. Uranium for fuelling nuclear generators is mined in Australia as low-grade ore. Only 0.3% of this ore is pure uranium, and after crushing, chemical treatment and concentration, only 0.7% of this residual is the required U-235 isotope. In order to ensure an induced chain reaction is sustainable, this nuclear fuel needs to be enriched (i.e. concentrated) so that the U-235 concentration is approximately 5%. (Rapkins, Rossiter, Walding, 1999)"
Abstract This paper discusses alternatives to nuclearpower like fossil fuels, solar and hydroelectric power and describes the problem of waste disposal at the Yucca Mountain Repository for nuclear waste.
Abstract This essay examines the safety of nuclearpower plants in the event of attack. It looks at the safety features included in the design of a nuclear reactor and discusses the ability of those features to withstand an actual air attack. Expert opinions and test information are given.
From the Paper "In light of the Al-Qaeda's most recent weapon of choice used in New York and Washington D.C., more needs to be done to protect our nuclear power plants from an air attack. Mohamed ElBaradei who is the Director of the International Atomic Energy Agency was quoted in the December 2001 issue of Nuclear Engineering International when addressing the UN General Assembly in New York as saying, ?the terrorist attacks on September 11 had [have] been a wake up call to the industry that more could and should be done to bolster security."
Tags: boeing, commission, containment, crystal, flight, fuel, iodide, jet, ki, nrc, path, plane, pool, postassium, radiation, reactor, regulatory
Abstract A backwater of the Cold War since hostilities of the Korean War ended, has been the divided Korean peninsula. Since the 1990s, this issue has repeatedly captured the attention of the world, with the generally assumed rise of North Korea to the status of a nuclearpower.
From the Paper "Since the 1990s the divided Korean peninsula, which had been a backwater of the Cold War since the end of hostilities in the Korean War in the 1950s, has repeatedly captured the world's attention with the widely-assumed rise of North Korea (the Democratic People's Republic of Korea or DPRK) to the status of a nuclear power. Given the status of the current dictatorial regime of North Korea as a virtual international "pariah" state - a state in which a massive military exists side-by-side with a primitive, faltering economy and even widespread famine - its nuclear capability has dominated all discussions of its foreign relations and strategies to engage it."
Abstract This paper examines how nuclear energy is a controversial form of energy that is being phased out of American society. No new nuclear reactors for creating power have been ordered in the United States since 1978. It looks at how nuclear energy is not only used to generate electrical power for cities and towns across the world, it is also used in weapons of war, to powernuclear submarines and in medicine. It evaluates how the benefits of nuclearpower are many, but so are the risks.
From the Paper "Nuclear weapons have existed in the world since World War II, when the United States dropped atomic bombs on Nagasaki and Hiroshima in Japan to end the war. After the war, the Soviet Union developed their own nuclear weapons, and the resulting Cold War made backyard bomb shelters popular. Everyone was worried someone else was going to drop the "bomb" and cause a nuclear catastrophe. Nuclear weapons were beneficial to society when they were first created, because they ended a war that could have continued on, thus saving lives in the end. However, today nuclear weapons are used mainly to keep other countries in check, and the threat always looms that a bomb could be dropped which would cause a worldwide nuclear disaster, or terrorists could acquire a bomb, causing a disaster."
Abstract This paper discusses the development of nucleartechnology in Iran. It discusses the reasons that Iran gives for the developments and the views of the rest of the world regarding the issue. The paper focuses on the potential threat posed by Iran if it has nuclearpower capabilities. The paper then looks at the options for addressing the threat that is posed by Iran.
Table of Contents:
Introduction
The Military Threat of a Nuclear Iran
Non-Military Threats of a Nuclear Iran
Options for Addressing the Threat of a Nuclear Iran
From the Paper "However, unlike the Iraqi nuclear reactor destroyed by Israel in Natanz, the Iranian nuclear network comprise hundreds of individual facilities located underground in hardened bunkers and spread out throughout much of the country. It is, therefore, possible that without U.S. tactical assistance, Israel might eventually have only one option for preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons: namely, a pre-emptive nuclear strike of its own. Given the inevitable blame that the U.S. will share throughout the rest of the Muslim world for such an attack, even without direct U.S. involvement, it might behoove this country to provide assistance to enable Israel to destroy the threat using the latest U.S. conventional (i.e. non-nuclear) technology capable of achieving the objective without the unavoidable death of millions in Iran."
