Nuclear Energy and Renewable Energy

Module 11 (11/10–11/16) · Nuclear Energy and Renewable Energy · Blueprint Pillar 3 · PGCC Outcome 4 · Download .docx

Objectives

Describe how nuclear fission generates electricity and its associated risks.
Compare the EROI, advantages, and limitations of solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal.
Explain the intermittency problem and the role of grid-scale storage.
Describe the energy transition and its three requirements.

Key terms

Nuclear fission: Splitting of a heavy atom (uranium-235) to release energy; used in nuclear power plants.
Radioactive waste: Spent nuclear fuel and contaminated materials that remain hazardous for thousands of years.
Solar photovoltaic (PV): Technology converting sunlight directly to electricity using semiconductor cells.
Wind energy: Electricity generated by wind turbines converting the kinetic energy of moving air.
Hydropower: Electricity generated by flowing water spinning turbines, typically from dams.
Geothermal energy: Heat energy extracted from Earth's interior, used for electricity or direct heating.
Intermittency: The variability of energy output from solar and wind sources depending on weather and time of day.
Grid-scale storage: Large battery or other storage systems that hold electricity to supply the grid when generation is low.
EROI (nuclear): Nuclear power has EROI of roughly 75:1 over plant lifetime — among the highest of any source.
Chernobyl (1986): Nuclear disaster in Ukraine caused by a flawed reactor design and operator error; released large amounts of radioactive material across Europe.
Fukushima (2011): Nuclear disaster in Japan caused by tsunami disabling cooling systems; triggered global nuclear policy reviews.
Energy transition: Shift from fossil-fuel-based energy systems to renewable and low-carbon sources.

The concept

Nuclear fission splits heavy uranium-235 atoms to release large amounts of heat, generating steam that drives turbines. Nuclear produces no direct greenhouse gas emissions during operation and has one of the highest EROIs (~75:1). However, radioactive waste remains hazardous for thousands of years, and major accidents (Chernobyl 1986, Fukushima 2011) have raised significant public concern.

Renewable energy sources each carry trade-offs. Solar PV converts sunlight to electricity at declining cost; wind turbines generate from kinetic energy in moving air. Both are intermittent — they only generate when the sun shines or wind blows. Hydropower is reliable and established but large dams displace communities and block fish migration. Geothermal is highly reliable but economical only near tectonic boundaries.

The intermittency problem is the major challenge for high renewable penetration: grid-scale battery storage and smart transmission infrastructure are needed to balance supply and demand when solar and wind fluctuate. Renewable energy now accounts for about 20% of U.S. electricity generation, with wind and solar growing fastest. The energy transition requires policy support, infrastructure investment, and grid modernization simultaneously.

Self-check

Try each one before you look. A miss here costs nothing and tells you exactly what to reread.

1. Nuclear power does not emit greenhouse gases during operation. Why is radioactive waste still a major concern?

2. The intermittency problem is a key challenge for solar and wind energy because:

3. Hydropower is a reliable renewable energy source, but large dams raise environmental concerns because:

4. Geothermal energy has a major geographic limitation, which is:

5. Renewable energy accounted for approximately 20% of U.S. electricity generation in the mid-2020s. The energy transition to higher renewable penetration requires three simultaneous changes, which are:

Canvas is the official record. This companion enhances the PGCC curriculum; it does not replace it. Last name and class year only. Students with a 504 plan or IEP: your accommodations apply.

↑ Back to top