Exploring Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Fusion and Fission

Nuclear Fusion
Small nuclei into
large
Immense
temperature and
pressure
Core of stars

Nuclear Fission
Large nuclei into
small
Critical mass to
sustain
Two isotopes 239
we
use
U 235 Pu

Iron is the dead end of both fusion and

fission it is the lowest energy nucleus
and cannot be split or fused.

Global Total Primary Energy Supply, 2012

clear provides about 5% of total energy and 10.8% of global electricity generation.

Natural Gas; 21%

Coal; 29%

Nuclear; 5%
Petroleum; 31%

Hydropower; 2%
Geothermal, Solar, etc.; 1%

Biofuels and Waste; 10%

Data: International Energy Agency

Top 10 Nuclear Generating

Countries, 2013
800

700

600

500

400

Billion kiloWatt-hours

300

200

100

Data: Energy Information Administration

U.S. Primary Energy Consumption

Source and Sector, 2013 (Quadrillion Btu)

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Data: Energy Information Administration

U.S. Electricity Production

2013

Hydroelectric; 7%

19%
0% Solar; 0%
Petroleum;Nuclear;
1% Geothermal;

Other; 1%

Biomass; 1%
Wind; 4%

Natural Gas; 27%

Coal; 39%

Data provided by US EIA Net Generation by Energy Source

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U.S. Electricity Flow 2013

Quadrillion Btu

Data: Energy Information Administration

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Nuclear Energy Production

Percent Electricity
Generated by Nuclear
Power
VT

73.76%

MN

20.52%

NH

56.72%

NE

20.06%

SC

56.07%

MS

19.91%

NJ

51.15%

AR

18.38%

IL

49.16%

WI

18.32%

CT

47.29%

LA

16.40%

VA

41.46%

KS

16.14%

MD

37.73%

OH

12.43%

TN

36.66%

FL

12.00%

PA

35.23%

MA

11.96%

NC

34.49%

IA

9.39%

NY

32.97%

MO

9.11%

AZ

28.34%

CA

8.98%

GA

26.90%

TX

8.91%

MI

26.74%

WA

7.24%

AL

26.70%

Data: Nuclear Energy Institute

Anatomy of a Nuclear Power Plant

Source: NRC

Anatomy of a Nuclear Power

Plant

Source: NRC

Advantages of Nuclear Power

Clean
Plentiful Supply
High energy content in uranium
Small fuel pellet
Can provide base load power
Energy savings in transportation

Operating cost is low after construction

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Drawbacks to Using Nuclear Power

Initial construction costs

Radioactive waste byproduct
Storage
Natural disasters
Public perception

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New Nuclear Technologies

Modular, small-scale reactors
Breeder reactors
http://
www.energy.gov/science-innovation/energy-source
s/nuclear

Image courtesy of Department of Energy

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Food for thought

Of the 15 methods (wedges) proposed by a Princeton University study to
stabilize Carbon Dioxide emissions, 13 of them relate energy use.
Implementation of any 7 would accomplish the goal of stabilizing
emissions.
1. Efficient vehicles
2. Reduced use of vehicles
3. Efficient buildings
4. Efficient coal power plants
5. Gas instead of coal power plants
6. Capture CO2 at base load power plant
7. Nuclear power for coal power
8. Wind power for coal power
9. Photovoltaic power for coal power
10. Capture CO2 at H2 plant
11. Capture CO2 at coal-to-synfuels plant
12. Wind H2 in fuel-cell car for gasoline in hybrid car
13. Biomass fuel for fossil fuel

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For More Information

The NEED Project
www.need.org
info@need.org
1-800-875-5029

Energy Information Administration

U.S. Department of Energy
www.eia.gov

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All NEED schools have outstanding classroom-based programs in which students learn
about energy. Does your school have student leaders who extend these activities into
their communities? To recognize outstanding achievement and reward student
leadership, The NEED Project conducts the National Youth Awards Program for Energy
Achievement.
Whats involved?
Students and teachers set goals and objectives, and keep a record of their activities.
Students create a digital project to submit for judging. In April, digital projects should
be uploaded to the online submission site.
Want more info? Check out www.NEED.org/Youth-Awards for more application and
program information, previous winners, and photos of past events.