Electric Power Generation and the

Environment

Health Physics SocietyPower Reactor Section

History Of Electricity

Static Electricity – Ancient Greeks

Franklin Invents Lightning Rods - 1752

Faraday Discovers Electromagnetic Induction – early 1800’s

Edison Invents the Light Bulb and Generating Stations in NYC – 1882

Tesla Invents Alternating Current Motor for Westinghouse - 1888

Faraday’s Law

Moving a magnet through a wire loop produces an electric current.

Called “electromagnetic” induction.

Generator

A generator converts mechanical energy into electrical energy

North America At Night

Earth At Night

U.S. Sources Today

Gas17.9%

Oil2.3%

Nuclear20.4%

Hydro6.9%

Renewable2.2%

Coal50.3%

Source: EIA - Updated 11/03

(2002)

3,831.0

5,787.0

0

1,000

2,000

3,000

4,000

5,000

6,000

7,000

2002 2025

Growth in Electricity Demand

Bil

lio

n k

Wh

Future Energy Need

Sources Tomorrow

(2025)

?

Energy Policy Goals

Increase energy supply

Optimize available resources

Develop new technology

Limiting environmental impact

A Question Of Balance

Pros & Cons

COAL

HYDRO

NATURAL GAS

SOLAR & WIND

cheap and abundant but source of greenhouse gases

clean but seasonal and no new

sources

cleaner than coal but limited supply

renewable but expensive, low energy

density, and intermittent

Pros & Cons

NUCLEAR

high energy density

no air pollution

reliable fuel supply

but what about safety, security, and waste?

High Energy Density

Each person in the United States uses either:

4 tons of coal or a few ounces of uranium

1 pellet = 150 gallons gasoline

1780 pounds coal

16,000 ft3 natural gas

2.5 tons wood

No Air Pollution

0%

10%

20%

30%

40%

50%

60%

70%

80%

76% 22% 1.4% 0.7% 0.1%

Nuclear Hydro Geothermal Wind Solar

Global Nuclear Power

442 Nuclear Plants Worldwide

25% in the United States

Strong growth internationally, China is the fastest growing maket

Source: International Atomic Energy Agency

103 Nuclear Power Reactors

But What About…

Safety, Security, and Waste?

Designed, Constructed, and Operated for Safety

Robust Security

Used Fuel Storage at Yucca Mountain

Safety By Design: Low “Enrichment”

Fission “chain reaction”: E = m * c2

U-235 atoms fission. 5% in fuel, 95% in bombs.

Safety By Design: Fuel Rods

The uranium fuel is made of solid ceramic pellets.

The fuel pellets are sealed inside zirconium alloy rods that are about 13’ long.

~236 rods in each assembly

~200 assemblies in the reactor core

Safety By Design: Reactor Vessel

Typical values:

Weight: 400 tons

Thickness: 8 inches

Fuel Assemblies (Core)

Safety By Design: PWR Containment

Initial Construction

Completed Concrete Dome

Multiple Layers of Protection

Nuclear Plant Security Areas

Vital Area

Owner Controlled

Area

Protected Area

Active Vehicle Barrier System

Intrusion Detection

• CCTV on poles

• Delay Fence

• Intrusion Detection

• Perimeter checks

• Roving Patrols

Defensive Fighting Position

Fuel Assemblies Cool In Pools

Temporary Dry Storage On Site

Yucca Mountain Site

Careers in Nuclear

Design Next Generation Power

Plants

Equipment Reliability

Transportation Casks

Engineering Electrical and Mechanical

Instrumentation and Control

Nuclear

Careers in Nuclear

Health Physics Environmental

Operations

Regulations

Chemistry Corrosion Protection

Websites

Nuclear Regulatory Commission www.nrc.gov

Nuclear Energy Institute www.nei.org

Health Physics Society www.hps.org

Thanks…for your interest and patience !