Despite its low carbon credentials and proven performance, some remain unconvinced that nuclear power is the way to go.
Governments have pledged to reduce carbon emissions by transitioning away from fossil fuels. Industries are investing millions of dollars in decarbonizing their processes. More extreme weather events are persuading people that there is an urgent need to replace fossil fuels in the energy mix to secure a cleaner, greener future. Yet despite its low carbon credentials and proven performance, some remain unconvinced that nuclear power is the way to go - primarily due to perceived safety issues. Let’s debunk that myth.
A lesson in nuclear history
Perceptions of nuclear power have changed over time. In the 1960s and 70s, nuclear power was promoted as a cheap and perpetual source of electricity and seen as the power source of the future. However, the accident at Three Mile Island in 1979, followed by Chernobyl in 1986, saw global investment and support for nuclear power decline. Subsequently, the nuclear power industry entered a period of stagnation.
Improvements in safety in the late 1990s began to win back public opinion: but the Fukushima Daiichi accident in 2011 was a massive setback. Many countries initiated comprehensive safety reviews, while others canceled their nuclear development programs altogether. According to the International Atomic Energy Authority, this resulted in the loss of 48 GWe of nuclear capacity globally. Subsequent monitoring has shown that there have been no deaths or incidents of radiation-related health issues in the general population around Fukushima.
Nuclear safety
In fact, nuclear power has a better safety record than most other forms of power generation. Taking into account the mining and extraction of fuels, transportation, construction, and maintenance, the average fatalities associated with nuclear power generation equate to one person every 33 years, compared to 25 people per year for coal-powered plants.
Celeros Flow Technology is a key supplier of safety-critical flow control systems to the world’s nuclear fleet. As a result, we probably have a better insight than most about the exceptionally high standards of safety that the nuclear sector upholds.
For example, flow control systems play a critical role in temperature regulation to ensure that the reactor operates within safe limits. Pressure relief valves and other control mechanisms prevent overpressure conditions that could lead to equipment failure or accidents. Flow control systems also manage the injection of chemicals needed to maintain water chemistry within safe parameters. This prevents corrosion and buildup of harmful substances, protecting the integrity of the reactor and associated systems. In the event of an emergency, isolation valves can quickly shut off affected sections, preventing the spread of leaks and minimizing the risk of contamination.
For the record
Most nuclear operators have their own boards of obsolescence, which require full details of any components that are likely to go out of production during the reactor’s lifetime. This ensures that shortfalls and lack of availability can be predicted as far as possible, so that safe operations are assured.
Another argument in favor is that nuclear power has already proven its worth during a world energy crisis. During the pandemic, with the world in lockdown, nuclear power played an important part in providing secure, flexible, and stable generation when market demand was fluctuating wildly.
New nuclear
The development of small modular reactors (SMRs) offers the potential for even greater improvements. SMRs can deliver simpler, more agile, and cost-efficient nuclear energy generation than before: offering greater grid flexibility and integration with renewables. This technology also offers the potential for use in non-electric applications such as hydrogen production and water desalination. SMR design also incorporates advanced safety features, including passive safety systems that do not require human intervention or external power supplies to operate effectively.
Reassessing nuclear
We urgently need a reliable, low-carbon renewable energy source that can deliver at scale to avoid the worst effects of climate change. Growing geopolitical uncertainties also make energy security a top priority. Countries are desperate to wean themselves off imported fossil fuels and develop localized energy sources that they can own and control.
These new global challenges mean we must rehabilitate nuclear energy as a safe and sustainable option in the public mind. The continued safe operation of existing nuclear power plants and the evolution of SMRs mean we have the track record and the technology to prove that nuclear power deserves its place in a low-carbon future.
