Abstract :
This paper focuses on the issues critical to the operation of commercial nuclear power electric generating plants. These issues include safe, secure long-term plant operations, plant physical security, radioactive waste management, and environmental impact. Few energy choices can compete with the environmental benefits of nuclear power. By capturing and sequestering waste products during the entire fuel cycle, nuclear power is one of the cleanest baseload energy sources available. Long-term storage of used fuel is technically feasible in both aboveground storage containers and in underground geologic formations. Continued research into new nuclear reactors is expected to allow for almost complete consumption of the available unused fuel in high level waste
Keywords :
fission reactor fuel; fission reactor safety; nuclear fuel cycle facilities; nuclear power stations; power generation reliability; radioactive waste; waste management; electric generating plants; environmental effects; nuclear fuel cycle; nuclear power plants; plant operation security; plant physical security; radioactive waste management; storage containers; underground geologic formations; waste product sequestering; Containers; Energy capture; Environmental management; Fuel storage; Nuclear power generation; Power generation; Radio spectrum management; Radioactive waste; Security; Waste management;
