Should Bulgaria Concentrate On Nuclear Power As Its

Should Bulgaria Concentrate on Nuclear Power as its Main Future Energy Source? By Veselka Dimitrova

Content:

Introduction. The Global Trend. The International Attitude. The Bulgarian Case. Why Nuclear Power:

Effectiveness. Carbon Dioxide Emissions. The Land factor. General Effect on the

Environment. Radioactive waste.

Conclusion. References.

Introduction:

Under the unstable condition in the energy sector the nuclear energy could be the answer we are waiting for, not only in Bulgaria but world-wide.

The Global Trend:

The demand for energy will increase with 50% until 2050 and in the following decades with 75% more.

Currently, on the globe there are approximately 440 nuclear power plants (NNP) and 30 more are under development.

Source: IAEA, n.d. and Schulz, 2006

The International Attitude:

Country: Number of NNPs:

Percentage of the total demand:

France 59 80%

USA 103 19%

Japan 55 + 1 under construction

30%

Source: IAEA, n.d.

The Bulgarian Case:

The Bulgarian Case (2):

Number ofWorkingreactors:

Populationin millions:

Gross consumption within the country

In thousands:

Produced energy in Bulgaria in

thousands:

Coefficient of energydependency in

percentage:

2 7,68 20 637 11 011 46,60 %

Note: The estimation was made in 2006

Source: Ministry of Economy and Energy, 2008 A

Why Nuclear Power:

There are several factor that will be considered under this section: Effectiveness. Carbon Dioxide

Emissions. The Land factor. General Effect on the

Environment. Radioactive waste.

Effectiveness:

The energy produced by one gram uranium equals the energy produced by four tones of coals.

A package of fuel rods is enough to supply New York City with energy for one year.

The price is relatively cheaper and independent from market uncertainties.

Source: Schulz, 2006

Carbon Dioxide Emissions:

The EU policy aims at lowering the levels of CO2 emissions with 20% until 2020 with basic year 1990.

Emissions of a gram CO2

per kWh: Nuclear: 4 grams Wind and water: 8 grams Geothermal: 79 grams Gas: more than 400 grams Oil: approx. 830 grams Coal: about 1,000 grams

Source: Hodgson, 2008 and Ministry of Economy and Energy, 2008 B

The Land factor:

Land necessary for energy project in square meter per megawatt: Nuclear: 630 Oil: 900 Gas: 1,500 Coal: 2,000 Solar: near to 2,000,000

Source: Hodgson, 2008

General Effect on the Environment: Radioactivity is emitted

during almost any process that produces energy.

The radioactivity emitted per gigawatt for the different processes are:

Coal: 4.0 Nuclear: 2.5 Geothermal and peat: 2.0 Oil: less than 1.0 Gas: 0.03

Source: Hodgson, 2008

Radioactive waste:

Three types of radioactive waste: High-level Intermediate-level Low-level

A nuclear reactor generates the following quantities of radioactive waste in cubic meters per year: High-level: 4 Intermediate-level: 100 Low-level: 500

Source: Hodgson, 2008

Radioactive waste (2):

Currently, the technology used for low and intermediate radioactive waste deals with the matter effectively.

All the waste produced from NNPs for all the years of their exploitation could be collected on a football field, which will be deeper less than 10 feet.

Source: Wolf, 1996

Radioactive waste (3):

Possible solutions to the problem with high-level radioactive waste: Stable geological

structures such as the Yucca Mountain, Nevada and deserts.

Alteration in the technology: substitution of the fuel rods with graphite balls, which will be used completely.

Source: Schulz, 2006 and Wolfe, 1996

Conclusion:

Nuclear energy is a good choice in the Bulgarian case. Then a stable and independent economy will be developed as a result of the strong Bulgarian policies in the energy sector.

Thank you for your attention!!!

References:

Hodgson, P. (2008) Nuclear Power and the Energy Crisis. Modern Age, Vol. 50 Issue 3, p238-246, 9p. Retrieved July 20, 2009, from Education Research Complete Database.

International Atomic Energy Agency. (2007, October 23) Nuclear Power Worldwide: Status and Outlook. A report from the IAEA. Retrieved July 20, 2009, from http://www.iaea.org/NewsCenter/PressReleases/2007/prn200719.html

Ministry of Economy and Energy. (2008 A, August) Bulletin for the condition and the development of the energy sector in Republic Bulgaria. Retrieved July 21, 2009, from http://www.mee.government.bg/doc_vop/Buletin_Energy_08_2008.pdf

Ministry of Economy and Energy. (2008 B, November) Project for Energy Strategy of Bulgaria until 2020 Retrieved July 21, 2009, from http://www.mi.government.bg/energy/energy/docs.html?id=252405

Schulz, M. (2006). Nuclear Power Is the Future. Wilson Quarterly, 30(4), 59-63. Retrieved July 20, 2009, from Academic Search Premier Database.

Wolfe, B. (1996, November 1). Why environmentalists should promote nuclear energy. Vital Speeches of the Day, 63(2), 52-56. Retrieved July 20, 2009, from Academic Search Premier Database.