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Nuclear by Mind Map: Nuclear

1. Pros

1.1. Clean power: the process of generating electricity through nuclear is zero-emission

1.1.1. the USA avoid more than 470 million metric tons on CO2 in 2019

1.1.2. Generating minimal waste:1 million times denser than that of traditional sources

1.1.3. All of the used nuclear fuel produced by the U.S. nuclear energy industry over the last 60 years could fit on a football field at a depth of less than 10 yards!

1.2. Reliable energy source: output large amount of energy at a constant rate -> ideal to replace current energy source

1.2.1. Nuclear power is the largest contributor to carbon-free electricity generation in the world, accounting for roughly three-quarters of the world’s carbon-free power

1.2.2. For example:Nuclear power makes up for 71% of the total electricity input in France

1.3. The ability to withstand catastrophy

1.3.1. nuclear plants have endured major earthquakes (e.g., in Armenia, Japan, California) and have taken direct hits from Category 5 hurricanes (Andrew at Miami’s Turkey Point). Nuclear units have suffered multiple devastating tornadoes, been battered by floods along with a combination of events in multiple locations. None of those cases resulted in radioactive releases affecting health.

2. Cons

2.1. Public awareness

2.1.1. derived from three global nuclear accidents and two nuclear explosions

2.1.1.1. For example: Chernobyl nuclear plant explosion:

2.2. Health effects:

2.2.1. Genetic mutations appear in children, risks of thyroid cancer

2.2.2. The fuel used for nuclear power is radioactive and would take centuries to diffuse it -> pose a threat to the safety of human

2.2.3. The radiation is believed to remain for 20000 years more

2.3. Large money on infrastructure

2.3.1. typically there are two types of costs

2.3.1.1. Capital cost: site preparation, engineering, manufacturing

2.3.1.1.1. Capital cost make up the large proportion of the whole cost

2.3.1.2. Operating cost: fuel cost, maintenance, waste disposal

2.3.2. technically complex and have to satisfy rules of licensing and design

2.3.2.1. The design and construction of a nuclear plan require highly qualified specialists and takes years to complete