WNA Releases 2020 Essentials on Nuclear Power - 2020

Nuclear Power Industry

WNA reports on the essential features of nuclear power:

• Nuclear reactors are, fundamentally, large kettles, which are used to heat water to produce enormous amounts of low-carbon electricity. They come in different sizes and shapes, and can be powered by a variety of different fuels. 
  
  
• Uranium is the main fuel for nuclear reactors, and it can be found in many places around the world. In order to make the fuel, uranium is mined and goes through refining and enrichment before being loaded into a nuclear reactor.
  
  
• Electricity is essential for modern life, yet almost one billion people live without access to it. Challenges such as climate change, pollution and environmental destruction require that we change the way we generate electricity.
  
  
• Radiation occurs naturally and comes from sources all around us, including our own bodies. Radiation is often misunderstood, but helps save lives and cure disease.
  
  
• To combat climate change, the world must rapidly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear energy is low-carbon and can be deployed on a large scale in the time frame required, supplying the world with clean and affordable electricity. 
  
  
• Controlling the spread of disease, helping doctors diagnose and treat patients, powering space exploration; the uses of nuclear technology are varied – and truly life-changing.
  
  
• The electricity generated from nuclear reactors results in small amount of waste and has been managed responsibly. There are several management strategies in practice, such as direct disposal or reuse in reactors to generate more electricity.

For the details, see the WNA webpage.