Nuclear power is the second-largest source of low-carbon electricity today, supplying 10.5% of global electricity
Nuclear power is generated by a controlled chain reaction inside a nuclear reactor, most commonly in a process called nuclear fission. In fission, neutrons collide with uranium or plutonium atoms, causing the atoms to split and release additional neutrons and energy in the form of heat. This heat is used to convert water into steam, which drives turbines to produce electricity. A nuclear reactor was first used to produce electricity in the 1950s, in light of discoveries made through research efforts previously focused on developing nuclear weaponry. A series of commercial reactors for electricity production have since been developed. Today, nuclear power is gaining importance driven by the climate change agenda since it emits minimal greenhouse gases, at levels similar to renewable energy in terms of total life cycle emissions per unit of energy generated. Nuclear power projects are heavily dependent on government policy due to their capital-intensive nature, and are strictly regulated as they deal with radioactive materials.
Nuclear power is controversial in some locations due to these radioactive materials and the potential health hazards they pose. A number of destructive accidents have occurred in the history of nuclear power; these include the Chernobyl disaster in the Soviet Union in 1986 and the Fukushima disaster in Japan in 2011. Different nations have widely different visions for the deployment of nuclear power, ranging from France’s 75% dependence on nuclear power for electricity generation to Germany having announced decision to shut down all of its nuclear power plants by 2022. Another important aspect is the disposal of nuclear waste; spent fuel remains active for tens of thousands of years and a proven long-term solution for safely managing and disposing of this radioactive waste is yet to be developed. Although newer, safer and more efficient reactor designs are being constructed today, nuclear power has an uncertain future challenged by public acceptance, costs, fuel resource sustainability and nuclear waste management.
As a potentially safer and less waste-generating type of reaction than fission, nuclear fusion is an ongoing area of research. Several experimental reactors exist, but commercial-scale results remain far from realisation. Small modular reactors are also attracting interest, as they allow for greater flexibility with potential benefits particularly for developing countries with limited grid capacity.
Learn more about nuclear power by reading our Energy Insights.
For the latest news and articles on the transport sector read New Energy World.
Read energy professional's thoughts on the future of nuclear in our Energy Barometer.
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of CO2 emissions have been avoided by using nuclear power over the past 50 years, nearly equal to 2 years of global energy-related CO2 emissions (IEA)
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reactors are operating around the world, providing 392 GW of civil nuclear power capacity, almost 95 GW of which is located in the US (World Nuclear Association)
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of all radioactive waste from nuclear power by volume is highly radioactive and requires permanent isolation from the environment (World Nuclear Association)
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people in Britain are working on Hinkley Point C – the first new nuclear power station to be built in the UK in over 20 years (EDF Energy)
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Human Factors Foundation - April 2024
15/04/2024 - 19/04/2024
This 5-day course delivers a comprehensive introduction into human factors for non-specialists. It provides a practical, engaging and interactive back...
Age and Life Extension of Offshore Structures
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UK Energy Policy Debate: Battle for Energy Ideas
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Human Factors Foundation - November 2024
04/11/2024 - 08/11/2024
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Research report: Achieving greater resilience to major events – Organisational learning for safety risk management in complex environments
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