Blatt, J. (2023, June 20). The future of nuclear power in a low-carbon world. National Academies. https://www.nationalacademies.org/news/2023/06/the-future-of-nuclear-power-in-a-low-carbon-world

For a while now our country has been using nuclear energy for electricity. But at the same time, it is very expensive to build a nuclear power plant in a country. But with the new generation, people are thinking of a smaller option of nuclear energy that will be the same as a power plant that they do not need to spend a lot of money on. 

This article gave me a spark that our country has been using nuclear energy for electricity and also with how expensive it is they are trying to find an alternative to it. With that people that want to make nuclear power plants, they are finding ways for the construction to not be expensive and for less work. 

Article 5: Small reactors could make nuclear energy big again. How do they work, and are they safe?

Bocca , R. (2022, October 6). Small reactors could make nuclear energy big again. How do they work, and are they safe?World Economic Forum . Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/10/nuclear-power-power-plant-smrs-clean-energy/ 

In this report by Bocca he discusses once again the miniaturization of nuclear reactors and how this may have an effect on the energy grid in the future. He brings up how fear due to the catastrophes at Chernobyl and Fukushima as well as the association with nuclear weapons has led to a great amount of distaste with nuclear as a whole, and that plants are beginning to be shuttered fast then they can be built. Bocca then provides the benefits of continued operation and creation of these plants, and how the smaller scale may alleviate fears of a catastrophe. 

This once again shows how it is necessary for the creation of a positive image around nuclear energy in order for it to be seriously considered in the future of clean energy, and with no deaths from pollution caused by emissions, nuclear power increasingly looks like the most beneficial option, at least economically until further research can be put into nuclear energy. 

Article 4: Nuclear Resurgence 

Lloyd , J. (2023, December). Nuclear Resurgence . Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.imf.org/en/Publications/fandd/issues/2022/12/nuclear-resurgence-nordhaus-lloyd 

This writing discusses the victories for nuclear energy in 2022 with there being a large uptick in the amount of reactors built in the United States as well as the war in Ukraine bringing up the large weakness of relying on fossil fuels as a primary means of both transportation and electricity, especially in Europe compared to the United States. Additionally, the Article also discusses the possibility of providing more power in the US with nuclear, citing both benefits and drawbacks, such as the 18 month refueling.

This piece shows some of the influences from outside sources can definitely disrupt the oil trade and how it is not safe nor economically viable for a continued reliance on oil, especially with OPEC controlling such vast swaths of wells in the middle east it would be a national catastrophe if the United States was to be isolated from the main source of its power, with the war in Ukraines gas prices being hugely larger highlighting this, as well as sending inflation out of control. 

Article 3: First Small Modular Nuclear Reactor Certified in US 

Houser, K. (2023, January 25). First small modular nuclear reactor certified in US. Freethink. Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.freethink.com/energy/small-modular-nuclear-reactor 

 This article discusses the creation of a miniaturized nuclear reactor by company NuScale, and how it is believed that miniaturization and modularity for nuclear reactors is the way to go, following the footsteps of the French set. These miniaturized reactors would be set up in groups of around 12 depending on the location, and more or less could be added based on necessity. The article then details the process of miniaturizing the reactor and the various feats necessary for such. 

This relates to the environment as if research further into miniaturization continues we may be able to achieve the 1950s dream of miniaturized nuclear reactors powering a lot of our day to day existence, and it is not out of the realm of possibility for an updated version of these reactors being able to be set up as a backup for a localized grid. 

Article 2:  Molten Salt Reactors Could Be Future of Nuclear Energy 

Houser , K. (2022, October 30). Molten Salt Reactors Could Be Future of Nuclear Energy . Freethink . Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.freethink.com/energy/molten-salt-reactor-52913 

This article discusses the viability of a molten salt reactor, which is a type of nuclear reactor that can be fueled by Thorium (90) and would be contained via molten salt, which would release heat that turns a turbine which powers a generator which creates electricity. This is very similar to a nuclear power plant, with the added benefit of the construction predicted to be much cheaper and the plant to be constructed much more quickly. It also details the safety features built into the plant, which include the benefits of the salt acting as a containment agent in case the plant ever went super critical. 

This is important to environmental science as it may very well be the future of nuclear power, as with the increase in plants being shuttered across the US for no good reason, it brings up the question of furthering research into nuclear and thorium power in the meanwhile, before renewables can fully replace an energy grid. Additionally, the dissociation with the stigma of nuclear weapons and disasters will further the argument for thorium as the poster child of an energy renaissance. 

Article 1: A New Era For Nuclear Energy Post Inflation Reduction Act 

Lighty, R. K., & Gibbs , K. (2022, December 21). A new era for nuclear energy post Inflation Reduction Act. reuters . Retrieved January 27, 2023, from https://www.reuters.com/legal/legalindustry/new-era-nuclear-energy-post-inflation-reduction-act-2022-12-21/ 

This article speaks about how the Inflation Reduction Act may impact nuclear power within the United States, detailing several locations, such as Wyoming. Additionally, it also brings up that a large amount of corporations are looking into nuclear power, as well as moving to investing great time and energy due to the amount of issues with coal plants. It then goes on to detail how the US’s ambitious climate reduction goals will only be able to be met realistically by nuclear powers and the benefits it brings. 

This highlights a key flaw in current energy grid plans as it discusses realistically the likelihood of the United States being capable of meeting its goal of net zero by 2050, and how Nuclear power may be the only way to reach it, however many flaws it may have. Additionally, it talks about the economic incentives of nuclear power, such as converting old coal plants to nuclear in order to save cost and time in building entirely new infrastructure, as well as providing a clear economic incentive to further research and build nuclear power plants. This relates to APES as less carbon emissions is always a good thing 

Banila, N. (2022, December 19). Romania to almost double nuclear power’s share in the energy mix by 2031 – govt. Business News for Southeast Europe. Retrieved February 9, 2023, from https://seenews.com/news/romania-to-almost-double-nuclear-powers-share-in-energy-mix-by-2031-govt-808726 

Romania has begun the production of two new nuclear reactors to expand its production of renewable energy in order to have a more reliable source of energy to its people. Again, as with Germany, the war in Ukraine has made many EU countries realize that their dependence on Russian gas/oil imports makes them vulnerable to freezing during the winter. The United States aided Romania in this endeavor by providing close to three billion dollars to construct the nuclear reactors. 

I think that Romania (and several other Eastern European countries) shift towards nuclear power shows a positive shift in energy production across the world. Eastern Europe is less economically well off compared to Western Europe which means that these countries generally want to go for cheaper energy production solutions. With the shift towards nuclear and other renewables, it shows that other countries that are willing to fork over a bit more money (and with a lot of support, considering the United States paid a hefty amount to Romania) that it is possible to rely more on clean power. 

Brumfiel, G. (2022, December 13). U.S. reaches a fusion power milestone. will it be enough to save the planet? NPR. Retrieved January 29, 2023, from https://www.npr.org/2022/12/13/1142208055/nuclear-fusion-breakthrough-climate-change

 The article talks about the possibility of fusion technology when it comes to new nuclear power plants. The article also brings up how fusion technology can be more environmentally friendly due to the fact that fusion does not use uranium, but in fact other helmets such as hydrogen (isotope forms of it). However, the technology will not be widely available until about the year 2070, which by the time it is available will not be able to aid too much in reducing carbon emissions in a short time span. 

I think the discovery of fusion technology in a lab is nothing short of amazing and wondrous. In terms of the environment, I think fusion technology is significantly more friendly and eliminates the usage of uranium nuclear waste that is a security risk for most countries that have nuclear power plants. I do think however it is unfortunate that fusion technology will not be a major player in energy production until about 2070. I think the technology has the potential to be revolutionary in green technology and supporting civilizations’ energy needs while not harming the environment.