Nuclear Power

Here is a review of The Future of Nuclear Power, an Interdisciplinary MIT Study

Background:
This study discussed what would be needed to make nuclear power a fisiable option for reducing greenshouse gas emissions while still meeting the increase in demand of electricity supply.

The authors of this study say, "The nuclear power option will only be excerised if technology demostrates better economics, improved safety, successful waste management, and low proliferation risk, and if public policies place a significant value on electricity production that doesn't produce CO2."

"In 2002, nuclear power supplied 20% of the US and 17% of the world electrcity consumption."

Study:
This study believes that nuclear power is a realistic option to lower greenhouse gas emissions in the near future as well as the distance future.

Problems with Nuclear Power:
1. Cost: in an unregulated market nuclear power is not competitive enough to with coal and natural gas to become a major source of power.
2. Safety: There are many potential health, environmental, and safety risks involved in the use of nuclear power.
3. Waste: disposal for nuclear waste is feasible, but the execution for this is not yet demostrated or certain.
4. Proliferation: there are currently inadequate international safeguards to meet the large number of security challenges brought by nuclear power.

Benefits of Nuclear Power:
1. Would lower greenhouse gas emissions if there is an increase in the use of nuclear power.
2. Does not emit CO2.
3. Helps us not depend on fossil fuels that can eventually run out.
4. For the US, helps lessen our dependence on foreign oil.

Review:
Overall I thought that the study did a really good job identifying the problems we face today with nuclear energy. But it also discussed how nuclear power is still a very realistic alternative energy source and that the world needs to look into making it more sustainable. This study did a great job discussing what government agencies and other people need to do to help solve this problems with nuclear energy. It made very good recommendations to people, like the US Department of Energy and others. I agree with most of this study and believe that we need to research nuclear energy further to help make it a better, more prevalent source of energy to the entire world.

http://web.mit.edu/nuclearpower/pdf/nuclearpower-summary.pdf