When we do hear the word of “nuclear”, the first reaction in our mind is “dangerous”. That impression, “nuclear is bad”, is likely formed when Nagasaki-and-Hiroshima-bombing was told from our grandpa. However, it is actually a good stuff.
When the other sources of energies are limited by their dependency to other factors, nuclear stands independently. Almost all renewable energy sources like solar, wind, ocean tide and wave, biomass are generated by sun. Similar to it, nearly all fossil fuel namely oil, gas, and coal rely on their amount which massively reduced by time function. Yes, nuclear comes from uranium which is also mined from earth. But, there are no very powerful sources of energy in this world except nuclear energy. ITS ENERGY DENSITY MAKES IT DIFFERENT FROM THE OTHERS.
Generally, there are only two problems related to this kind of energy: safety issue since uranium and plutonium (and sometimes thorium) are weakly radioactive elements and nuclear technology is expensive investment relatively. Here some reasons why nuclear energy will become desirable for currently energy generator:
- Operation and maintenance (O&M) cost is lower than fossil fuel and renewable energy. In 2008 for example, nuclear cost of O&M is just 0.01 to 0.02 USD/KWh compared to coal, gas, and oil respectively 0.03, 0.08, and 0.18.
- Fuel cost (mining, extracting, handling, transporting) for uranium is lower than fossil fuel especially coal. Furthermore, electricity which is produced is cheaper than from others sources.
- Does not emit greenhouse gasses as a byproduct meant green energy – HAS NOTHING CONTRIBUTION TO INCREASE GLOBAL WARMING.
- Does not produce smoke and dusty particles which related to human respiratory illness and acid rain. Combustion of coal release oxides of silicon, aluminum, iron, calcium, magnesium, titanium, sodium, potassium, arsenic, mercury, and sulfur plus small quantities of uranium and thorium to atmosphere in form of ash or smoke.
- Its productivity is RELIABLE. It is not influenced by daily natural aspects like weather and seasons.
- Has a high effectiveness of continuous production. 24/7. It just needs to shut down for maintenance purpose.
- Has THE BIGGEST ENERGY DENSITY by far. For comparison a 1000 MW coal-fired power plant requires 2,600,000 tons of coal per year compared to just 30 tons uranium U235 (enriched uranium fuel) annually.
- Only requires small area compared to renewable energies. For comparison nuclear power plant 1800 MW typically just needs 4.4 km² of land confront to 440 km² of wind turbine, 55 km² of solar panel and 4000 km² of biomass plantation.
We all agree that there is no source of energy which has optimum grade in all aspects just like the existence of uranium, radiation and radioactive material, will decline due to pace of consumption rate. It means all energy sources are not perfect. Nonetheless, if we take law of energy conversion (energy neither to be created nor destroyed but it can be converted from one form into another) as a postulate, the most qualified sources is NUCLEAR – the most efficient source.
Sources:
- Gabbard, Alex. “Coal Combustion: Nuclear Resource or Danger.
- Lahoda, Edward, Mazzoccoli, Jason, & Beccherle, Julien. High-power-density annular fuel for pressurized water reactors: Manufacturing costs and economic benefits.
- Odell, Stephen Joseph. Comparative Assessment of Coal-Fired and Nuclear Power Plants
Salam,
Anak bangsa yang merindukan kemandirian energi bersih
