Nuclear Energy

Nuclear Power is electricity produced by capturing the heat of nuclear reactions.

Fusion power refers to power generated by nuclear fusion reactions. In this kind of reaction, two light atomic nuclei fuse together to form a heavier nucleus and release energy. In a more general sense, the term can also refer to the production of net usable power from a fusion source, similar to the usage of the term "steam power." Most design studies for fusion power plants involve using the fusion reactions to create heat, which is then used to operate a steam turbine, similar to most coal-fired power stations as well as fission-driven nuclear power stations.

JET, the Joint European Torus, is the largest nuclear fusion experimental reactor yet built.

Situated on an old Navy airfield near Culham, Oxfordshire, in the UK, the construction, which was undertaken by Tarmac Construction in 1978, with the first experiments beginning in 1983.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fusion_power



The sun is a natural fusion reactor.



JET, the Joint European Torus, is the largest nuclear fusion experimental reactor yet built.
Situated on an old Navy airfield near Culham, Oxfordshire, in the UK, the construction, which was undertaken by Tarmac Construction in 1978, with the first experiments beginning in 1983. Nuclear power in Australia and around the world:

Nuclear power plants provided some 16 per cent of the world’s electricity production in 2005. Thirty countries worldwide were operating 442 nuclear reactors for electricity generation in June 2006. In total, 16 countries relied on nuclear energy to supply at least one-quarter of their electricity needs.

Australia is the only developed nation in the world that does not use electricity from nuclear energy, according to the World Nuclear Association.

However, Australia has been highly active in nuclear power research. In 1953, the Australian Parliament passed the Atomic Energy Act, which established the Australian Atomic Energy Commission (AAEC). An extensive research program was conducted by the AAEC into the potential use of uranium to provide fuel for a nuclear reactor, however, these plans did not eventuate. Debate has again arisen as to the use of nuclear energy in Australia.

The advantages and disadvantages of nuclear energy:

The advantages of nuclear power include:

• Uranium is an abundant source of concentrated energy which does not release any greenhouse gas emissions.
• Although nuclear power reactors are expensive to build, they are relatively cheap to operate.

• Uranium is a non-renewable energy source because uranium supplies are limited and they draw on finite resources that will eventually dwindle.
• Uranium and its by-products from the use in reactors are highly radioactive. Radioactive elements can seriously affect human health and this remains the major concern of people opposed to the use of nuclear power.