Julando Omar

XII-Science-1/11

The Controversy of utilization of the Nuclear power

In the past few decades, people had been searching for the renewable energy, or the so
called future energy. One of them is nuclear power. Nuclear power plant is a power plant that use
the fission of nuclear atoms which generates energy. This energy generates enough power to
generate electricity. Although it’s sound promising, there are some research that also show its high
risk. So, is nuclear power plant is efficient and safe enough to use? Well, let us see their reasons.

For the pro, they mention, first, nuclear power is a renewable energy. This renewable
energy could replace the use of fossil fuels, which is the one of the main cause of global warming.
Second, nuclear power plant is efficient enough for replacing the fossil fuels. For example, for the
same volume of fuel. It produces far more energy than carbon- based fuel. Last, nuclear power
plant produce little waste. Third, the waste, which is uranium, are come from the actual burning of
uranium, but these fuel could be reprocessed so the amount of waste is reduced greatly.

On the other side, the cons, they mention, the first, to construct the power plant, it need a
much cost and also it’s time consuming. For example, for the same cost, it’s faster to build a water-
powered power plant which is also a renewable energy. Second, the waste of nuclear power plant
is radioactive. This radioactive element need a high cost and time to dispose. They also need a fuel
disposal and storage which can leak anytime. Third, when an accident occur, nuclear power plant
could release an enormous amount of radiation, either it’s a land, air, or air radiation. For example,
the Fukushima nuclear accident released an enormous amount of radiation to the Pacific Ocean,
and also to the air, where the resident who live in 30km range should evacuate to the safe side.
These radiations also need hundreds of years to dispose.

In the end, It’s based on the countries and governments themselves to decide whether
utilize the nuclear power plant or the fossil based power plant. Nuclear power plant could generate
a high amount of energy in exchange of the high radiation waste and risk. And it’s also could be
good and bad at the same time.