01 How It Works
Nuclear fission splits heavy atoms (usually Uranium-235 or Plutonium-239) with neutrons. This releases enormous heat energy, which boils water to steam, which spins turbines to generate electricity. A single kilogram of uranium fuel produces as much energy as roughly 3,000 tonnes of coal. Modern reactors use control rods and coolant systems to regulate the chain reaction precisely.
02 Pros & Cons
โ Advantages
- Extremely high energy density
- Near-zero operational COโ
- Reliable baseload power
- Small land footprint
โ ๏ธ Disadvantages
- Radioactive waste storage
- High upfront cost
- Accident risk (low but severe)
- Proliferation concerns
03 Future Outlook
Fusion energy - the process that powers the sun - is under active development (ITER, NIF). If achieved commercially, it would offer near-limitless clean energy with minimal waste. Generation IV fission reactors and Small Modular Reactors (SMRs) are also advancing rapidly, promising safer, cheaper nuclear power within the 2030s.
04 Fun Fact
France generates ~70% of its electricity from nuclear power - the highest share of any nation.