Electricity is a convenient source of energy and can be generated in a number of different ways using either fossil fuels or renewable and sustainable technologies.
The main nuclear fuels are uranium and plutonium. In a nuclear power station, a nuclear reaction releases heat – nuclear energy is converted to heat energy:
heat is used to change water into steam in the boiler
the steam drives the turbine (heat to kinetic energy)
this drives the generator to produce electricity – kinetic to electrical energy
Advantages of nuclear power
Unlike fossil fuels, nuclear fuels do not produce carbon dioxide or sulphur dioxide.
Nuclear power stations are reliable sources of energy, meaning they can provide power whenever it is needed.
1 kilogram of nuclear fuel produces millions of times more energy than 1 kilogram of coal.
Disadvantages of nuclear power
Like fossil fuels, nuclear fuels are non-renewable energy resources.
Although modern reactor designs are extremely safe, if there is an accident, large amounts of radioactive material could be released into the environment.
Nuclear waste remains radioactive and is hazardous to health for thousands of years, so it must be stored safely.