Nuclear Power Potential as Major Energy Source

Abstract

Nuclear power is the use of sustained nuclear fusion to generate heat and electricity. Nuclear power plants provide about 5.7% of the world’s energy and 13% of the world’s electricity. When evaluated in light of impact on climate, land use, waste disposal, fuel availability, safety, internalized environmental cost, and technology transfer, nuclear power is one of the best source of energy and can help nation achieve widely held goals of sustainable development. The paper deals with the origin of nuclear power and its history. Nuclear reactor, considered as only a part of the nuclear fuel cycle, is also discussed in the paper. Nuclear power has numerous uses ranging from powering space probes to powering homes. As very small amount of uranium can be used to generate large amount of electricity, that is why, nuclear power can be used as a substitute for the fossil-fueled plants.