Classical sources of energy from the very beginning of industrialization were natural resources: oil, gas and coal, burned for energy. With the development of industry and other industries, as well as in connection with the imminent environmental crisis, mankind is opening up new energy sources that are not so detrimental to the environment, more energy-efficient and do not require the depletion of exhaustible natural resources. Nuclear energy (also called atomic) deserves special attention.
What is its advantage? Nuclear energy is based mainly on the use of uranium as an energy source and, to a lesser extent, plutonium. Uranium reserves in the earth's crust and oceans, which can be extracted using modern technologies, are estimated at 10 8 tons. This amount will be enough for another thousand years, which is incomparable with the remaining reserves, for example, of the same oil. Nuclear power with proper operation and disposal of waste is practically safe for the environmental situation - the amount of emissions of various harmful substances into the environment is negligible. Finally, nuclear power is economically efficient. All this suggests that the development of nuclear energy is of great importance for the energy industry as a whole.
Today, the share of nuclear power plants in global energy production is approximately 16%. Nuclear energy is currently developing at a somewhat slower rate. The main reason for this is the widespread belief among the public that it is dangerous. The disaster in Japan several years ago and the still unforgettable
accident at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant contribute to the creation of an unpleasant image of nuclear energy. The fact is that the causes of such disasters are always the
human factor and / or non-compliance with safety regulations. Accordingly, with careful operation and development of safety at
nuclear power plants, the likelihood of such accidents is minimized.
Other nuclear issues also include the disposal of radioactive waste and the fate of non-functioning nuclear power plants. As for waste, their quantity is much less than the number of those in other sectors of the energy industry. Various studies are also carried out, the purpose of which is to find the optimal method of waste disposal.
The prospects for nuclear energy in modern industry are nevertheless rather negative. Despite its theoretical advantage, in reality it turned out that nuclear energy could not completely replace the classical industries. In addition, public distrust of it and problems with ensuring safety at nuclear power plants play their role. Although, of course, in the near future, nuclear energy will not disappear as such, it is unlikely to have high hopes, and it will simply complement the classical energy industry.