Nuclear Energy

From ClimateWiki

Nuclear energy originates from the splitting of uranium atoms in a process called fission. Fission releases energy that can be used to make steam, which is used in a turbine to generate electricity. Nuclear power accounts for approximately 19 percent of the United States' electricity production. More than 100 nuclear generating units are currently in operation in the United States.1 No nuclear power plants have been built since 1996.2

Uranium is a nonrenewable resource that cannot be replenished on a human time scale. Uranium is extracted from open-pit and underground mines. Once mined, the uranium ore is sent to a processing plant to be concentrated into a useful fuel (i.e., uranium oxide pellets). This uranium enrichment process generates radioactive waste. Enriched fuel is then transported to the nuclear power plant.

At the power plant, the uranium oxide pellets are bombarded with neutrons, causing the uranium atoms to split and release both heat and neutrons. These neutrons collide with other uranium atoms and to release additional heat and neutrons in a chain reaction. This heat is used to generate steam, which is used by a turbine to generate electricity.

http://www.epa.gov/cleanenergy/energy-and-you/affect/nuclear.html