The Controversial Source Of Nuclear Energy For The Future

Nuclear Energy is an extremely controversial source of energy currently debated. Despite many setbacks from accidents in the past, nuclear power has an enormous potential to be an important source of energy for the future. Although atomic energy is not a sole solution, when combined with wind and solar, nuclear reactors can replace non-renewable power sources. Nuclear energy is electricity produced from splitting atoms in a reactor to produce heat, which turns a turbine. The future of nuclear energy lies in current research and testing around the world. However, the technology is often portrayed to citizens as being very dangerous. This falsehood has led to slow development and little support for nuclear energy. Safety systems and standards

These types of reactors run on depleted uranium, resulting in less waste afterward. The concept is being used with capabilities that were unimaginable fifty years ago when it was first considered (Lester 46). Through the use of modern technology, an idea which was initially thought of over fifty years ago may be available to use in the future. Considering the company working with this idea is funded well, the reactor design has a high chance of being used commercially, compared to other research projects which end early due to low funding. According to M. Mitchell Waldrop, a features editor at Nature magazine with a Ph.D. in elementary particle physics, a large number of high-temperature reactors are currently under development around the world which are among the first advanced reactors to be deployed, starting in the 2020s. The technology only needs to be approved by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (28). New reactors using this advanced technology may be able to show investors the potential of nuclear energy as a viable power source. If the reactors in development are not proven to produce energy in a cost-effective process, then nuclear energy may become entirely

China has been quickly making efforts to make nuclear energy safer by creating a plan in Beijing to transition to Generation III+ reactors after concern caused by the accident in Fukushima. A 2012 survey found that 80 percent of people now paid attention to nuclear energy only after hearing of Fukushima (May 39). Since the Fukushima accident in Japan created a fear of nuclear power, China decided to use new, safer reactors to retain support from the public. Without the comfort of safety from citizens of China, nuclear energy would lose endorsement and be replaced by a different power source. The Generation III+ reactors are built different from older designs to be safer in the chance of an accident. In theory, the molten salt reactors in development in China could not suffer from a catastrophic failure. Some safety systems would become unnecessary with the technology (Martin 39-40). China is developing a new design which will keep nuclear power relevant as a power source. Safety concerns have already been the cause of weak support. However, new and safer designs could gather support from those who doubt nuclear