NUCLEAR POWER
Benefits of Nuclear Energy
The Government of Canada believes that nuclear energy is an essential part of its diverse energy sources. In fact, nuclear energy is believed to be a sustainable energy source that can meet our current electricity needs, as well as our future electricity needs for many years to come. Over the years, alternatives to fossil fuel have been sought after to reduce the production of carbon dioxide and greenhouse gases. One alternative considered is nuclear energy, because it is reliable, land-efficient, clean, safe and beneficial to the economy and the public.
Reliable Source of Electricity
Nuclear energy is a reliable energy source, because it does not rely on uncertain forces to produce electricity. For example, solar energy produces electricity by harvesting energy from the sun with solar panels. However, not all the sunrays can reach the solar panels on cloudy or rainy days. As a result, little or no electricity is produced. Similarly, wind mills do not turn when there is no wind. These two energy sources completely rely on natural elements to produce electricity, which might not always produce a lot of energy when conditions are not optimal. However, nuclear energy does not rely on natural forces. The Darlington Nuclear Power Plant produces energy through the nuclear fission of uranium, a natural radioactive heavy metal. Uranium is found in many countries, including Canada. In fact, Canada is the second largest supplier of uranium and has the largest high-grade uranium deposit in the world at the McArthur River in Saskatchewan. Canada also has uranium deposits in Nunavut, Quebec, Ontario and the Northern Territories that have yet to be exploited. Another difference about nuclear energy is that a lot of energy can be obtained from small quantities of uranium. For instance, an 20g uranium pellet produces the same amount of electricity as 400kg of coal, 410L of oil or 350 cubic metres of natural gas. According to the Nuclear Factbook, it is estimated that less than 10 pellets of uranium is enough to power an average Canadian household for an entire year. So, uranium is not only an abundant material in Canada, but only small amounts are required to produce electricity.
Nuclear energy is a reliable energy source, because it does not rely on uncertain forces to produce electricity. For example, solar energy produces electricity by harvesting energy from the sun with solar panels. However, not all the sunrays can reach the solar panels on cloudy or rainy days. As a result, little or no electricity is produced. Similarly, wind mills do not turn when there is no wind. These two energy sources completely rely on natural elements to produce electricity, which might not always produce a lot of energy when conditions are not optimal. However, nuclear energy does not rely on natural forces. The Darlington Nuclear Power Plant produces energy through the nuclear fission of uranium, a natural radioactive heavy metal. Uranium is found in many countries, including Canada. In fact, Canada is the second largest supplier of uranium and has the largest high-grade uranium deposit in the world at the McArthur River in Saskatchewan. Canada also has uranium deposits in Nunavut, Quebec, Ontario and the Northern Territories that have yet to be exploited. Another difference about nuclear energy is that a lot of energy can be obtained from small quantities of uranium. For instance, an 20g uranium pellet produces the same amount of electricity as 400kg of coal, 410L of oil or 350 cubic metres of natural gas. According to the Nuclear Factbook, it is estimated that less than 10 pellets of uranium is enough to power an average Canadian household for an entire year. So, uranium is not only an abundant material in Canada, but only small amounts are required to produce electricity.
Land-efficient
Nuclear energy is a very land-efficient source of energy, because it has a small geographical footprint. Unlike wind and solar energy, a nuclear power plant does not have to cover a large surface area to produce the same quantity of electricity. For instance, wind energy produces only 1.6 MWe/km2, while solar energy produces 3.1MWe/km2. Therefore, a large surface area must be covered with wind mills or solar panels in order to meet energy demands. However, nuclear energy does not require a surface area as large as that of solar energy and wind energy. According to the Canadian Nuclear Factbook, nuclear energy can produce approximately 47.6MWe/km2. This is because nuclear fission is so powerful and releases huge amounts of energy. In this case, the amount of electricity per surface area is around 30 times more efficient than wind. As for visual aesthetics, a nuclear power plant will have fewer negative visual impacts than a wind farm or solar farm simply because it covers a smaller area. Therefore, nuclear energy is an alternative to be considered, because it is very land-efficient.
Nuclear energy is a very land-efficient source of energy, because it has a small geographical footprint. Unlike wind and solar energy, a nuclear power plant does not have to cover a large surface area to produce the same quantity of electricity. For instance, wind energy produces only 1.6 MWe/km2, while solar energy produces 3.1MWe/km2. Therefore, a large surface area must be covered with wind mills or solar panels in order to meet energy demands. However, nuclear energy does not require a surface area as large as that of solar energy and wind energy. According to the Canadian Nuclear Factbook, nuclear energy can produce approximately 47.6MWe/km2. This is because nuclear fission is so powerful and releases huge amounts of energy. In this case, the amount of electricity per surface area is around 30 times more efficient than wind. As for visual aesthetics, a nuclear power plant will have fewer negative visual impacts than a wind farm or solar farm simply because it covers a smaller area. Therefore, nuclear energy is an alternative to be considered, because it is very land-efficient.
Clean Energy
Nuclear energy is an important source of clean energy. In fact, not only does nuclear energy have a very small carbon footprint, but converting to nuclear energy enables the reduction of current gas emissions at both the global and local levels. Currently, 68.16% of the world's energy comes from fossil fuels, which are responsible for 30% of the global carbon emissions. However, by switching to nuclear energy, the carbon emissions from the different energy sources can be reduced. According to the Canadian Nuclear Factbook, using nuclear energy avoids the production of 2.5 billion tones of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide on a yearly basis, which is the equivalent of removing 480 million vehicles from the road. In Canada, the use of nuclear energy permits the country to avoid the production 89 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, each year. Furthermore, nuclear energy releases minimal carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere throughout its entire cycle. Even when all the phases such as the uranium mining, the plant’s construction, operation and decommissioning are considered, nuclear energy remains relatively clean. In fact, nuclear energy ranks as the fourth cleanest energy source, after hydropower, tidal and wave energy and wind energy. Furthermore, the environmental assessment for the New Darlington Nuclear Project stated that the project would have no residual adverse effect on the atmospheric environment. This illustrates how environmentally friendly nuclear energy is. Therefore, another reason to consider converting to nuclear energy is that it is a clean method of producing electricity.
Nuclear energy is an important source of clean energy. In fact, not only does nuclear energy have a very small carbon footprint, but converting to nuclear energy enables the reduction of current gas emissions at both the global and local levels. Currently, 68.16% of the world's energy comes from fossil fuels, which are responsible for 30% of the global carbon emissions. However, by switching to nuclear energy, the carbon emissions from the different energy sources can be reduced. According to the Canadian Nuclear Factbook, using nuclear energy avoids the production of 2.5 billion tones of carbon dioxide emissions worldwide on a yearly basis, which is the equivalent of removing 480 million vehicles from the road. In Canada, the use of nuclear energy permits the country to avoid the production 89 million tonnes of carbon dioxide, each year. Furthermore, nuclear energy releases minimal carbon dioxide or other greenhouse gases into the atmosphere throughout its entire cycle. Even when all the phases such as the uranium mining, the plant’s construction, operation and decommissioning are considered, nuclear energy remains relatively clean. In fact, nuclear energy ranks as the fourth cleanest energy source, after hydropower, tidal and wave energy and wind energy. Furthermore, the environmental assessment for the New Darlington Nuclear Project stated that the project would have no residual adverse effect on the atmospheric environment. This illustrates how environmentally friendly nuclear energy is. Therefore, another reason to consider converting to nuclear energy is that it is a clean method of producing electricity.
Safety and Security
Nuclear energy is a safe and secure way of producing electricity. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) insures that all the requirements are met and that every phase of a nuclear project is carefully evaluated, regulated and monitored. The CNSC regulates every step from the mining process of uranium to the construction of the plant, to the operation and decommissioning phases and finally to the disposal of nuclear waste. For example, the law states that all facilities dealing with nuclear substances or nuclear processes cannot function without a licence. To obtain this licence, a complete environmental impact assessment must be done. However, if a facility with a licence is modified, a new licence must be given. For example, when the New Darlington Nuclear Power Plant Project proposed the addition of new reactors to the existing site, the plant’s current licence was no longer valid, because it did not include the new reactors. Since OPG was applying for a new licence, a new environmental impact assessment had to be done. Furthermore, even after a licence is approved, it is mandatory to continue follow-ups and constant monitoring of all the different activities. The CNSC also demands that appropriate security measures be taken at each facility. In addition, protection plans and emergency response plans are already in place at the Darlington nuclear site. CNSC even requires the proponent of such project to keep money aside, so that it may be used in case of an accident. However, the environmental impact assessment for the New Darlington Nuclear Project stated that radiation and radioactivity posed no adverse effect on the health of any living organisms, whether they are human or not. All these rigorous laws, requirements and steps are established to ensure the health and safety of both the public and the environment. So, the Canadian nuclear industry is a highly monitored and regulated industry.
Nuclear energy is a safe and secure way of producing electricity. The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC) insures that all the requirements are met and that every phase of a nuclear project is carefully evaluated, regulated and monitored. The CNSC regulates every step from the mining process of uranium to the construction of the plant, to the operation and decommissioning phases and finally to the disposal of nuclear waste. For example, the law states that all facilities dealing with nuclear substances or nuclear processes cannot function without a licence. To obtain this licence, a complete environmental impact assessment must be done. However, if a facility with a licence is modified, a new licence must be given. For example, when the New Darlington Nuclear Power Plant Project proposed the addition of new reactors to the existing site, the plant’s current licence was no longer valid, because it did not include the new reactors. Since OPG was applying for a new licence, a new environmental impact assessment had to be done. Furthermore, even after a licence is approved, it is mandatory to continue follow-ups and constant monitoring of all the different activities. The CNSC also demands that appropriate security measures be taken at each facility. In addition, protection plans and emergency response plans are already in place at the Darlington nuclear site. CNSC even requires the proponent of such project to keep money aside, so that it may be used in case of an accident. However, the environmental impact assessment for the New Darlington Nuclear Project stated that radiation and radioactivity posed no adverse effect on the health of any living organisms, whether they are human or not. All these rigorous laws, requirements and steps are established to ensure the health and safety of both the public and the environment. So, the Canadian nuclear industry is a highly monitored and regulated industry.
Social and Economic Benefits
Nuclear power also has several social and economic benefits. These will be discussed in the impact section of this website.
Nuclear power also has several social and economic benefits. These will be discussed in the impact section of this website.
Please refer to the Canadian Nuclear Safety Comission site and the Canadian Nuclear Factbook below, for further information on the different benifits of nuclear energy.