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According to the World Nuclear Association, there are more than 430 nuclear power reactors globally, providing roughly 14% of the world’s electricity.
The U.S. is home to over 100 nuclear reactors, which account for one fifth of our country’s electricity production—while contributing no greenhouse gases to the atmosphere.
Briefly, nuclear energy relies on the splitting of uranium atoms in a process called fission. The reaction releases heat that is used to drive steam turbines and generate electricity.
The U.S. uses ‘light water’ reactor technology, which operates in a once-through fuel cycle where fresh uranium is inserted, fissioned, and discharged as ‘spent’ fuel. Only 1-2% of the usable material is consumed during this process.
Scientists at Argonne National Laboratory are working on an advanced nuclear reactor technology called a ‘closed fuel cycle,’ which can access the full potential of uranium and other nuclear fuels.
Dubbed ‘fast reactor’ technology, it has been demonstrated to be inherently safe during landmark tests conducted at Argonne’s Experimental Breeder Reactor-II in the 1980s. France, Russia, China, India, Korea, and Japan are also pursuing this technology in order to extend their uranium resources and to address the current, ever-expanding excess of spent nuclear fuel worldwide.
If the switch to fast reactors and reprocessing was made in the U.S., this technology could provide all of our electricity needs for about 1,000 years, without having to mine additional uranium.
If fast reactor technology is fully realized, it could advance clean energy technology.
Web Links
World Nuclear Association
http://www.world-nuclear.org/
Executive Bios: Chris Grandy – Nuclear Engineering Division
http://www.ne.anl.gov/About/grandy_bio.html
Advanced Reactor Development and Technology
http://www.ne.anl.gov/research/ardt/afr/index.html
Photo, taken on June 5, 2006, courtesy of Argonne National Laboratory via Flickr.