1. NUCLEAR ENERGY What is it?
David J. Diamond
Energy Sciences & Technology Department
February 2009

2. THE SOURCE: FISSION E = mc2
Fission is the splitting of a nucleus into two or more separate nuclei of comparable mass
One neutron interacts with one “fissionable” nucleus (Uranium for example)
Results are:
Fission Products – Two heavy nuclides
One heavier than the other (Average ratio of ~ 2 : 3 )
Neutrons – 2.43 on average emitted / fission
Important that more neutrons are produced than are used to cause one fission
Gamma rays, beta particles
Energy !!
E = mc2

3. NUCLEAR ENERGY FOR ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION
Currently produces 20% of U.S. electricity
104 operating units in the U.S.

4. U.S. NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

5. NPPs AROUND THE WORLD

6. PERCENT OF ELECTRICITY FROM NUCLEAR ENERGY

7. TOP 10 NUCLEAR GENERATING COUNTRIES 2007, Billion kWh
Enter text
Source: International Atomic Energy Agency, U.S. is from Energy Information Administration
Updated: 5/08 7

8. NUCLEAR ENERGY FOR ELECTRICITY PRODUCTION
Currently produces 20% of U.S. electricity
104 operating units in the U.S.
19 UTILITIES ARE PROPOSING TO LICENSE 34 NEW UNITS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS
17 applications for 24 units already before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Some purchasing of components has begun but no firm orders expected until licensing more advanced
An energy source the public should understand

9. BOILING WATER REACTOR

10. PRESSURIZED WATER REACTOR

11. NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS

12. NPPs IN FINLAND

14. AREVA VIDEO CLIP

15. WATER SYSTEMS

17. CONTROL ROOM

18. NUCLEAR POWER PLANTS ARE THE PRODUCT OF: Nuclear Engineers
Mechanical Engineers
Electrical Engineers
Civil Engineers
Human Factors Experts
Computer Engineers/Scientists
Etc.

19. WASTE DISPOSAL A concern to many people
Used (spent) nuclear fuel consists of ceramic pellets encased in metal tubes
Current solution: On-site storage at NPPs

20. DRY STORAGE IN CASKS ON SITE

21. WASTE STORAGE
Long term solution financed by nuclear utilities in cooperation with U.S. government
Yucca Mountain: one site for high-level radioactive waste makes it easy to monitor, regulate, and secure
DOE: Required to design, construct, operate
EPA: Required to set standards to protect public and environment
NRC: Required to approve/license DOE proposal

22. YUCCA MOUNTAIN SITE

25. TRANSPORTATION
Over the last 40 years, 3,000 shipments of spent nuclear fuel on 1.7 million miles of U.S. roads
Each shipment carefully packaged and monitored
Casks are ~15 times thicker than a gasoline tank truck shell and include 3 inches of stainless steel with thick lead radiation shields
Typically for every ton of spent fuel there are 3 tons of protective packaging

26. THE FUTURE OF NUCLEAR POWER IN THE U.S.
51 NPPs have obtained extensions of their 40-year license to enable operation to 60 years--41 more are pending
Many plants have increased their power: MW of new nuclear electricity has been added (equivalent to adding 6 new units)
19 UTILITIES ARE PROPOSING TO LICENSE 34 NEW UNITS IN THE NEXT FEW YEARS
17 applications for 24 units already before the Nuclear Regulatory Commission
Some purchasing of components has begun but no firm orders expected until licensing more advanced

27. WHY NUCLEAR ENERGY SHOULD BE AN OPTION -- MARCH 15TH
Energy Security is National Security
Uranium is a domestic source of energy
Competitive Costs
No Climate-change Releases
Proven Record
Concentrated Form of Energy