Nuclear Energy

The Basics

Nuclear energy is released from the fission of heavy elements like uranium, a weakly radioactive metal found around the world. Fission splits large atoms into smaller atoms, releasing enormous amounts of energy. During electricity generation, the process of fission emits only water vapor but leaves behind spent fuel, which remains highly radioactive. Milling uranium, processing uranium into nuclear fuel, and operating nuclear power plants all create various types of nuclear waste, both low-level and high-level.

Why does nuclear energy matter?

The United States has used nuclear power since the mid-20th century. Nuclear energy makes up around 20% of U.S. electricity supply. There are currently 98 commercial nuclear reactors operating at 60 nuclear power plants in thirty states.^[1][2]

How does geoscience help inform decisions about nuclear energy?

Geoscientists find and extract our supply of heavy elements like uranium. They evaluate the safety of nuclear power plants to withstand natural hazards such as earthquakes, floods, and tsunamis, and also play a central role in identifying safe options for short- and long-term management of nuclear wastes, including underground storage of spent-fuel and high-level waste.

References

¹ Nuclear Explained: U.S. Nuclear Industry, EIA

² How many nuclear power plants are there in the United States, and where are they located?, EIA

Learn More

Introductory Resources

• Nuclear Explained, Energy Information Administration
  This web article provides an overview of nuclear energy, uranium as a fuel for nuclear fission, the operation of U.S. nuclear power plants, the nuclear fuel cycle (uranium exploration, mining, milling, conversion, and enrichment, fuel use, and fuel disposal), uranium sources, status of the U.S. nuclear industry and power plants, and environmental impacts of nuclear power.

• What You Need to Know About Energy: Nuclear, The National Academies
  An overview of the role of nuclear energy in the United States, the benefits and disadvantages of nuclear, and opportunities and challenges for using nuclear energy in the future.

Resources for Educators

• Education GeoSource Network (EGS), AGI
  Search for nuclear energy resources related to professional resources, curricula & instruction, teaching media, outreach programs, and other EGS collections.

• NGSS Performance Expectations, Next Generation Science Standards
  K-ESS3-1, 4-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-1, HS-ESS3-2, K-ESS2-2, 5-ESS3-1, MS-ESS3-3, MS-ESS3-4, HS-ESS3-3, HS-ESS3-4, HS-PS1-8

• NGSS Disciplinary Core Ideas, Next Generation Science Standards
  ESS3.A, ESS3.C, PS1.C

Coal

Coal is a carbon-rich rock formed from plants that grew millions of years ago. Coal is a major source of electricity in the United States and the largest source of energy for electricity generation worldwide.

Energy

All of the energy we use comes from the Earth, its atmosphere, or the Sun. Some resources are mined or extracted, like coal, uranium, oil, and gas. Others, like wind, solar, tidal, biomass, and hydropower resources, are harnessed at the Earth’s surface. Geoscientists play an essential role in developing energy resources and evaluating their environmental impacts.

Geothermal Energy

Geothermal energy is harvested by drilling into underground reservoirs of steam or water heated by the Earth. While western states like California and Nevada lead the country in geothermal energy production, emerging technologies may make it possible to extract geothermal energy throughout the United States.

Hydraulic Fracturing

Hydraulic fracturing is a technique used in one step of the extraction of energy resources. Sometimes referred to as “fracking”, its wide application over the last decade has led to debate over its risks and benefits.

Hydropower

Hydropower uses the energy from moving water to power machines or generate electricity. Used for over two thousand years in water mills, today hydropower is more commonly associated with electricity generation.

Oil and Gas

Petroleum (“oil”) and natural gas are hydrocarbons that formed over millions of years under heat and pressure deep in the Earth. Petroleum and natural gas are the largest sources of energy in the United States.

Renewable Energy

Renewable energy comes from sources that are constantly replenished, like running water, the heat of the Earth, the Sun’s light, or wind. Renewables account for around 11% of U.S. energy consumption and 17% of electricity production.

Solar Energy

Solar energy is energy from the Sun, which can be harnessed in several ways. Solar panels use the photovoltaic effect to generate electricity directly from sunlight. The Sun’s heat can be used directly to heat water or air, or it can be concentrated to boil water, driving steam turbines that generate electricity.

Wind Energy

Wind energy is harnessed by wind turbines, which convert the energy of the wind into electricity. Wind energy is one of the largest sources of renewable energy. Wind farms can now be found in more than 40 states.