An understanding of nuclear power works begins with a few basic chemistry facts.
Atoms are the building blocks of everything on the planet. Atoms are comprised of protons, neutrons and electrons. Atoms come together to form elements, which are substances that cannot be chemically broken down into simpler substances. Carbon, hydrogen, oxygen and uranium are examples of different types of elements. The difference among the elements is the number of protons, neutrons and electrons.
Nuclear power relies on one very important element, enriched uranium. Uranium is a fairly common element on earth and is categorized into different types or numbers. Uranium-238 (U-238) makes up about 99 percent of all uranium on earth, while Uranium-235 (U-235) makes up about 0.7 percent. Specific properties of U-235, particularly its ability to decay naturally by alpha radiation, make it useful for power production, a process that occurs in nuclear power plants when certain materials are combined in a reactor.
The most unique property of U-235 is that it can undergo induced fission. If a neutron is absorbed by the nucleus of a U-235 atom, the atom will split into fast-moving elements, which produce an incredible amount of energy in the form of gamma and heat. The heat is then used to produce electricity.
At the beginning of 2006, there were 443 nuclear power plants allocated across 30 countries. France is the number one consumer of nuclear-powered electricity in the world. Of all electricity produced in France, 76 percent comes from nuclear power.
In the U.S., Shippingport was the first commercial nuclear power plant built. The plant was opened by President Dwight Eisenhower on May 26, 1958. Today, the U.S. produces about 27 percent of all nuclear power production in the world. Currently, twenty percent of U.S. electricity needs are met by nuclear power. These nuclear plants have provided safe, reliable and clean energy since 1958 and will continue to do so in the future.
Nuclear power is an efficient and affordable source of electricity. The 103 nuclear power plants in the U.S. produce power 90 percent of the time. Nuclear power plants also have some of the lowest production costs outside of hydroelectric power plants. Compared to natural gas, uranium is relatively low in cost and less sensitive to fuel price increases.
Further, nuclear power does not emit greenhouse gases. Nuclear energy is by far the most emission-free source of electricity, comprising 73 percent of all emission-free sources, including hydroelectric, wind and solar.
Some of the major public concerns about nuclear power plants include security, safety, storage and siting. However, the industry has made significant strides in safety and technology since the days of early nuclear power production and continues to make improvements.
Sources: Nuclear Energy Institute, International Atomic Energy Agency and International Energy Agency