Nuclear energy sparks opposing opinions: for some, it is a clean and efficient source capable of reducing carbon emissions; for others, it represents high risks and high operating costs. While the world seeks sustainable alternatives to fossil fuels, the debate grows about its role in the future of the energy matrix. Below, learn about the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy and understand why it remains at the center of discussions about climate and global security.
What is nuclear energy?
Nuclear energy is the energy contained in the nucleus of an atom, the smallest unit that makes up all the matter in the universe. This energy holds the nucleus together through an extremely powerful force known as the strong nuclear force.
For this energy to be used in electricity generation, it needs to be released from the atom through nuclear fission, a process in which atoms split, releasing a large amount of energy.
Nuclear reactors, found in power plants, are responsible for controlling fission to generate electricity safely. The main fuel used in these reactors is uranium, an element found in nature in the form of small pellets.
When uranium atoms split, they release particles called fission products, which cause other atoms to split, creating a chain reaction. This reaction releases heat, which heats the reactor's coolant, usually water, but in some cases liquid metal or molten salt. The heat transforms the water into steam, which drives turbines connected to generators, converting thermal energy into electrical energy.
The amount of electricity produced can be controlled with control rods made of materials capable of absorbing some of the fission products. When these rods are inserted into the reactor, the reaction becomes slower and more controlled; when they are removed, fission intensifies, generating more energy.
France, for example, obtains about 70% of its electricity from nuclear power, while Ukraine, Slovakia, and Hungary obtain about half of their energy from nuclear power. The United States and China lead in production. Meanwhile, several countries have decided not to use nuclear power, including Germany, Australia, Austria, Denmark, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Luxembourg, Malta, New Zealand, and Norway.
In terms of the environment, it stands out for offering a stable and low-emission generation of carbon...helping to reduce dependence on fossil fuels and improve air quality. Still, it presents challenges that renewable sources, such as solar and wind, largely avoid. It is not a... clean energy.
Advantages of Nuclear Energy
Next, we highlight three crucial points of its advantages:
1 - High energy densityThe energy released in nuclear fission is ten million times greater than that released in the burning of a single atom of fossil fuel, meaning it has an incredibly high energy density. To give you an idea, one kilogram of uranium can generate about 20 times more energy than the same amount of coal. This efficiency reduces both the frequency and volume of fuel supply compared to fossil fuels.
2 - Low greenhouse gas emissionsCompared to coal, natural gas and oilNuclear energy produces minimal air pollution during its operational phase. According to the Nuclear Energy Institute, nuclear energy accounts for almost half of the carbon-free energy in the United States.
3 - ReliabilityNuclear power plants have the highest capacity factor among all energy sources, and can operate continuously for long periods. In 2021, for example, nuclear power plants in the United States operated on average 92% of the time, which is twice the reliability of coal and natural gas. This characteristic ensures a stable and constant baseload energy supply, essential for meeting electricity demand without interruptions.
Read also What is renewable energy?
Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy
On the other hand, several disadvantages make nuclear energy a controversial choice.
1 - Nuclear wasteNuclear reactors produce radioactive waste as a byproduct that remains hazardous for thousands of years. Safe, long-term disposal solutions, such as deep geological repositories, are complex and expensive, posing both environmental and logistical challenges. This means that almost all existing nuclear waste in the world is stored in temporary facilities. As more radioactive waste is produced, new storage facilities need to be built.
2 - Risk of accidentsThe use of nuclear energy gained momentum after the oil crisis of the 1970s, with the promise of a stable and efficient source. However, high-profile accidents, such as those at Three Mile Island (1979), Chernobyl (1986), and Fukushima (2011), have prompted a global reassessment of the safety of this technology. Although disasters are rare, this method of energy production is a divisive issue.
3 - Limited resourcesUranium, the primary fuel for nuclear reactors, is a finite resource. According to the World Nuclear Association, currently identified resources will last approximately 90 years at current consumption rates.
What is the state of nuclear energy in Brazil?
Brazil also produces nuclear energy and currently has two operating plants: Angra 1 and Angra 2. They are located at the Almirante Álvaro Alberto Nuclear Power Plant (CNAAA), in Angra dos Reis, on the Costa Verde of Rio de Janeiro. The units are operated by the state-owned company Eletronuclear.
Angra 1 has been operating since 1985. With 640 megawatts (MW) of power, the facility generates enough energy to supply a city of 2 million inhabitants, such as Manaus, the capital of Amazonas.
The neighboring Angra 2 nuclear power plant has been operating since 2001 and has a capacity of 1.350 MW. It is capable of supplying a city of 4 million inhabitants, equivalent to the combined populations of Brasília and Porto Alegre.
Together, these two plants account for approximately 2% of the country's electricity consumption. Although located in Rio de Janeiro, the energy produced by these plants is part of the National Interconnected System (SIN), meaning it is not necessarily consumed within the state.
Once operational, which is not expected before 2030, Angra 3 will have a capacity of 1.405 megawatts (MW) and will be able to generate more than 12 million megawatt-hours per year, enough to meet the consumption of 4,5 million people.
Despite relatively low generation, Brazil is part of a select group of only three countries (along with the United States and Russia) that have mineral reserves, processing technology, and nuclear power plants to produce energy.
Brazil has the 8th largest uranium reserve in the world; the largest is in Australia.
Are nuclear power plants safe?
Despite serious accidents in the past, advances in technology and robust safety systems designed to prevent accidents have made nuclear power plants even safer. Today, they are designed and operated according to rigorous safety standards and utilize redundant layers of protection to ensure safe operation.
However, the production of radioactive waste and the risk of large-scale accidents remain sensitive issues. The sustainable future of this technology depends on investments in safer reactors, rigorous oversight, and effective solutions for long-term waste storage.
In Brazil, the National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) is responsible for regulating the use of nuclear energy in the country.
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