{"id":61793,"date":"2022-04-21T12:50:36","date_gmt":"2022-04-21T10:50:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/?p=61793"},"modified":"2022-04-21T14:06:16","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T12:06:16","slug":"nuclear-energy-fossil-fuels","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/blog-energias\/energia-nuclear-combustibles-fosiles\/","title":{"rendered":"Nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels"},"content":{"rendered":"<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li><a href=\"#introduccion\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#introduccion\">Introduction<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#creacion\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#creacion\">Nuclear energy creation process<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#espa\u00f1a\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#espa\u00f1a\">Nuclear energy in Spain<\/a><\/li><li><a href=\"#debate\" data-type=\"internal\" data-id=\"#debate\">Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power plants<\/a><\/li><\/ul>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-5c51405b gb-headline-text\" id=\"introduccion\">Introduction<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>With the rising prices of <strong>fossil fuels and pollution<\/strong> generated by the exploitation of nuclear energy, we find ourselves in the need to look for cheaper and cleaner alternatives to be able to meet current energy demand.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This energy is quite controversial due to the controversy over its exploitation by some countries, but recent events arising from the conflict in Ukraine force it to be the subject of debate in the Parliament of the European Union.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"775\" height=\"426\" src=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-combustibles-fosiles.jpg\" alt=\"Nuclear Energy Fossil Fuels\" class=\"wp-image-61797\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-combustibles-fosiles.jpg 775w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-combustibles-fosiles-300x165.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-combustibles-fosiles-768x422.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-combustibles-fosiles-123x68.jpg 123w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-combustibles-fosiles-200x110.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 775px) 100vw, 775px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-ce24941d gb-headline-text\" id=\"creacion\">Nuclear energy creation process<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Nuclear energy is obtained through a disintegration process<strong> of uranium atoms<\/strong> in a controlled environment within the nuclear power plant. The specific use of this element is due to its <a href=\"https:\/\/www.bbc.com\/mundo\/noticias\/2014\/11\/141031_finde_uranio_quimico_polemico_finde_ac#:~:text=La%20inestabilidad%20del%20%C3%A1tomo%20de,dos%20neutrones%20y%20dos%20protones.\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\"><strong>high instability and the health risks it entails<\/strong>.<\/a> Another alternative is plutonium, although this is not found in nature but must be produced artificially.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>exist <strong>two processes<\/strong> for the release of said energy, <strong>fission (separation) or union (fusion)<\/strong>, the first is the one used in nuclear power plants and the second originates naturally in the sun and stars.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The one that interests us in this topic would be the <strong>nuclear fission energy<\/strong>, which you are looking for is <strong>split an atom into lighter ones<\/strong> with the purpose of making the atom more unstable through collisions of atomic subparticles. To do this, the atom receives impacts from neutrons until one of them coincides with the nucleus and produces the division of the atom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"286\" height=\"226\" src=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/atomo.png\" alt=\"Atom\" class=\"wp-image-61813\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/atomo.png 286w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/atomo-209x165.png 209w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/atomo-123x97.png 123w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/atomo-200x158.png 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 286px) 100vw, 286px\" \/><figcaption>Atom structure with central nucleus and orbiting electrons<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<p>In this division there is <strong>the release of a large amount of energy,<\/strong> of neutrons and gamma rays; This effect generates a <strong>chain reaction <\/strong>thanks to the released neutrons that collide, in turn, with other new nuclei that emerged after the division of the atom.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>As in any electrical energy production process, the heat energy released from the plant is invested in the production of steam. This is passed through a turbine combined with an alternator, thus generating electrical energy that is fed into the electrical grid.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The steam must be expelled through a chimney or cooling tower that is responsible for condensing it. The water resulting from condensation is collected and pumped for cooling processes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The following figure shows a simplified diagram of how a plant with these characteristics operates:<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"998\" height=\"584\" src=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-1.jpg\" alt=\"Nuclear energy\" class=\"wp-image-61817\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-1.jpg 998w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-1-300x176.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-1-768x449.jpg 768w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-1-282x165.jpg 282w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-1-123x72.jpg 123w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/energia-nuclear-1-200x117.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 998px) 100vw, 998px\" \/><figcaption>Scheme of a nuclear power plant<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-3eb6cd9f gb-headline-text\" id=\"espa\u00f1a\">Nuclear energy in Spain<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In 1969, the Jos\u00e9 Cabrera Power Plant, better known as Zorita, was inaugurated in Guadalajara, which was active until 2006. Today<strong> there are seven operational reactors<\/strong> and they have all been operating since the 1980s.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Currently more than <strong>20%<\/strong> of the electricity consumed in Spain is <strong>produced by these plants<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p><\/p>\n\n\n\n<div class=\"wp-block-image\"><figure class=\"aligncenter size-full\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"716\" height=\"411\" src=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/central-nuclear-guadalajara.jpg\" alt=\"Guadalajara Nuclear Power Plant\" class=\"wp-image-61818\" title=\"\" srcset=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/central-nuclear-guadalajara.jpg 716w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/central-nuclear-guadalajara-300x172.jpg 300w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/central-nuclear-guadalajara-287x165.jpg 287w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/central-nuclear-guadalajara-123x71.jpg 123w, https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/central-nuclear-guadalajara-200x115.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 716px) 100vw, 716px\" \/><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-e4ef1572 gb-headline-text\" id=\"ventajas\">Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power plants<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>If we had to weigh the pros and cons of nuclear energy, we could highlight the following:<\/p>\n\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-wrapper gb-grid-wrapper-0029320c\">\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-00af2882\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-00af2882\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-f6561c7f gb-headline-text\">PROS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>It does not produce greenhouse gases.<\/li><li>It is constant and bakeable throughout the year.<\/li><li>Low operating costs.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n\n<div class=\"gb-grid-column gb-grid-column-4551ebc3\"><div class=\"gb-container gb-container-4551ebc3\"><div class=\"gb-inside-container\">\n\n<h3 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-f5dd5d35 gb-headline-text\">CONS<\/h3>\n\n\n\n<ul class=\"wp-block-list\"><li>Produces radioactive waste.<\/li><li>Possible accidents and leaks in plants because it is an unstable energy.<\/li><\/ul>\n\n<\/div><\/div><\/div>\n<\/div>\n\n\n<h2 class=\"gb-headline gb-headline-e1c3c490 gb-headline-text\" id=\"debate\">Nuclear energy, under debate<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Controversy has always surrounded this type of energy, since the incidents at Chernobyl and Fukushima raised concerns about the safety of this type of power plant. The debate, therefore, is served. <\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If we analyze the position of the <strong>European countries<\/strong> we have, on the one hand, <strong>France<\/strong>,<strong> <\/strong>which is the country that uses this type of energy the most in Europe, obtaining 70% of the electrical energy it produces through its 56 reactors. On the other side of the scale we find the position of <strong>Germany<\/strong>,<strong> <\/strong>which, after the accident that occurred in Fukushima, was categorical in its decision and ordered the closure of all its nuclear plants. A third group composed of <strong>Spain, Denmark and Luxembourg<\/strong> They agree that it puts the energy transition of the European Union at risk due to the main drawback of the waste generated by nuclear energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Some countries such as China, Russia and Japan have the means to reprocess uranium, adding that storage facilities guarantee safe confinement of the radioactive material. If you want to know more advances about nuclear energy, don&#039;t miss <a href=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/energy-blog\/nuclear-fusion-reactor\/\" data-type=\"URL\" data-id=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/blog-energias\/reactor-de-fusion-nuclear\/\">our article about the new fusion reactor being built in China<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/energy-blog\/nuclear-fusion-reactor\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">.<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The current situation forces us to make decisions to dispense with energy dependence on gas from Russia or other fossil sources, such as oil from third countries. This may then be the time to go back to nuclear energy.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>If you believe that the future of energy lies in renewables, we recommend the <a href=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/programs\/master-efficient-management-of-renewable-energies\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Master in Efficient Management of Renewable Energies<\/a>, where you will learn from the best experts in the sector, to become the professional that companies are looking for.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Introduction Process of creation of nuclear energy Nuclear energy in Spain Advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power plants Introduction With prices on the rise\u2026 <a title=\"Nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels\" class=\"read-more\" href=\"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/blog-energias\/energia-nuclear-combustibles-fosiles\/\" aria-label=\"Read more about Nuclear energy as an alternative to fossil fuels\">Read more<\/a><\/p>","protected":false},"author":2412,"featured_media":61870,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[175,142],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-61793","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-blog-energias","category-blog"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61793","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2412"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=61793"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/61793\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/61870"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=61793"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=61793"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/eiposgrados.com\/eng\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=61793"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}