1. Alternative Energy: Nuclear Power
FYF 101
Section J
October 26, 2007

3. Learning Objectives Participants should be able to describe:
Nuclear power use worldwide & in the U.S.
The nuclear fuel cycle
The potential advantages of nuclear power
The risks associated with nuclear power

4. Source of Electrical Production in the U.S.
Coal
55%
Nuclear
22%
Hydroelectric
10%
Gas
Petroleum 2%
Other
<1%

5. Energy Facts
Production of energy accounts for 36% of the energy we use.
Fossil fuel produces 85% of the energy used.
Burning of fossil fuel produces 3.7 tons for each ton burned.

6. Nuclear Power Plants
Worldwide: 443 reactors in 32 countries (<25 under construction)
United States: 103 reactors in 31 states (no new construction since 1974)
Pa has the 2nd largest capacity
Illinois is 1st.

7. % of national power
% of worldwide power
France
75%
16%
Sweden
46%
Ukraine
43% 5%
South Korea
39% 4%
Germany
30% 7%
Japan
13%
United States
22%
31%

25. Risks
Effluents
Waste
Accidents

28. A 1000 MW(e) Nuclear Plant would have the same effect as:
Land: Disturbed Land
100 MW (e) coal
Land: Overburden moved
95 MW(e) coal
Fossil fuel used:
45 MW(e) coal
Effluents: SOx, NOx, Hydrocarbons, CO
45 MW (e) coal

29. Eventual # of deaths caused by the wastes from 1000 MWe-Y electrical power generation
Nuclear
High level wastes
0.018
Low level wastes
0.0004
Routine emissions
0.3
Coal
Air pollution 75
Radon emission 30
Chemical cacrcinogens 70

30. Loss of life expectancy (LLE) due to various risks in the U.S.
ACTIVITY
LLE (Days)
Living in poverty
3500
Smoking
2300
Unmarried
2000
Coal Miner
1100
30 lbs overweight
900
Small car vs. midsize 60
Living very near a NPP
0.4

31. Spent nuclear fuel (total since 1970’s)
Stored at reactor site:
162,000 units;
46,218 tons
Stored at away from reactor storage:
4,000 units;
755 tons

33. Chernobyl Acute radiation sickness affected 134 employees; 28 died
Thyroid cancer: 70 cases
Potential 1000’s