was to make use of nuclear energy; from that conclusion, the breed-and-burn concept was found to meet all the criteria (Hejzlar et al., 2013).
5.1. The Breed-and-burn Concept
Conventional nuclear fission power plants make use of Uranium 235 (235 U), enriched to 4.5%. Of the Uranium mined, between 10% or 12.5% is used, while the rest, a large portion of Uranium, is regarded as waste. Of the 10% or 12.5%, 5% of the enriched Uranium atoms are split, resulting in the total usage of enriched uranium approximately 0.6%. The breed-and-burn-concept aims to make full utilisation of the Uranium, resulting in an increase in efficiency of fuel usage by 30% (Greenspan, 2012) & (Hejzlar et al. 2013).
6. Conclusion
Nuclear Fusion technology may be a viable source for a base load. Nuclear fusion is clean source of energy as the only by products of the reaction is Helium a neutron and energy; however, there are many obstacles this technology may encounter.
Because the technology is relatively new, in comparison with other sources of energy harnessing methods, the initial cost of the implementation of these plants may not be economically viable for many countries. The reaction makes use of Deuterium and Tritium, both isotopes of Hydrogen; however, Tritium is rarely found in nature, which may prove challenging for
…show more content…
Because these plants are easily transported, safer, require less land for construction and faster to construct than larger, conventional nuclear plants, consumers would pay a lower electrical energy tariff. Small modular reactors are able to assume the role of a base load in conjunction with renewable energy, providing the required energy to meet the needs of the