How Is Nuclear Energy Easily Renewed?

Nuclear energy is the energy stored inside the bonds of the atom that releases in a reactor. The reactor harnesses the released heat energy and uses it to heat water and create steam to power generators, which in turn create electricity. It is a renewable process which creates no greenhouse gases.

Breaking the Bonds

Nuclear energy facilities can extract a lot of energy from a small amount of fuel. They do this by splitting atoms of uranium.

Energy Release

When split in a nuclear reaction, an atom of uranium releases ten million times more energy than an atom of carbon burned in a conventional power station. You would need to burn several million tons of coal or barrels of oil to create the same energy output as a single ton of uranium.

Fuel

Nuclear energy is regarded as being renewable because the amounts of fuel needed are so minuscule compared to conventional fuels. In addition, uranium extraction from the earth compared to oil and coal extraction is less damaging to the earth because so much less of it is needed.

References

• Our Energy: Nuclear Facts
• Nuclear Energy Institute: Nuclear Energy at a Glance