Safe and Secure
Nuclear power is among the safest technologies that produce large amount of electricity today. Due to the tremendous impact nuclear power can have risk assessment is an integral part of nuclear power plant design, construction and operation for its entire life cycle. Understanding and mitigating nuclear accidents drives numerous efforts such as the development of accident tolerant fuel forms, new reactors, radiation monitoring and understanding the impact on human health.
Reliable
Nuclear power is a reliable energy source since more than 50 years. Currently the US generates ~20% of its electricity through nuclear power. It’s continues reliable electricity generation is one of the corner stones of domestic energy security and path the way towards reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. Together with renewable energy sources nuclear is able to reduce the effects of CO2 emissions and therefore global warming.
Extensible
Because of the high energy density of nuclear fuel and its throughout the world, nuclear power has the potential to meet much, if not all, of the world’s energy needs without significantly impacting the environment (i.e. using small amounts of natural resources for fuel and taking up small amounts of land). The fuel for nuclear power plants (uranium, thorium) is available and can supply the world’s energy needs. Comparing the nuclear fuel density to coal the US primary energy source today it can be found that uranium has ~2.000.000 times the energy density than coal.
