1. Nuclear Power Statistics
Currently 439 nuclear power reactors in 31 countries
Combined capacity of 354 gigawatts
Provide 17% of world’s electricity
Currently 32 reactors under construction in 10 countries
Most planned reactors in Asia and parts of former Soviet Union
Electrical Generation in the US

3. Nuclear Power Plants in North America

4. The Nature of Nuclear Energy
Radioactive elements
Nuclei of certain atoms are unstable and spontaneously decompose
Only certain kinds of atoms are suitable for development of a nuclear chain reaction
The two most common are Uranium-235 and Plutonium-239

7. Nuclear Power Concerns
Accidents have raised questions about safety
Type and degree of damage vary with
Radiation form
Dosage and duration of exposure
Type of cells irradiated
Because mutations are permanent, radiation effects may build up over years and only appear later in life
Contamination and disposal problems
Plants may be terrorist targets
Spent fuel storage facilities have more total radioactivity than the reactor

8. Thermal Pollution
Addition of waste heat to the environment

9. End of the Fossil Fuel Era?
Most likely.
Time to look at alternative energy sources:
Wind
Solar
Tidal
Geothermal
Hydroelectric
Nuclear

10. Wind Produces no air pollution.
Harnessing the wind is dependent on weather and location. Normal wind velocity on Earth is approximately 9 miles/hour.

11. Wind Potentially infinite energy supply.
Advantages
Disadvantage
Potentially infinite energy supply.
Can be found singularly or in wind farms.
Wind turbines can be costly.
Visually unattractive to viewers.
Can interfere with flying wildlife.

12. Solar Most resourceful source of energy for the future. Why?
The total energy Earth receives each year from the sun is around 35,000 times the total energy used by man.

13. Solar Potentially infinite energy supply.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Potentially infinite energy supply.
Individuals can have their own electricity supply.
Solar panels can be costly.
Only works during the day.

14. Geothermal
Energy is obtained from the internal heat within Earth and is used to generate steam to run a steam turbine thus generating electricity.

15. Geothermal Potentially infinite energy supply.
Advantages
Disadvantages
Potentially infinite energy supply.
Successfully used in countries such as New Zealand and Iceland
Can be costly to set up and only works in volcanic activity.
Dangerous elements underground must be properly disposed of.