Nuclear power plant

Nuclear power plant

A nuclear power plant (or nuclear power station) is a thermal power station in which the heat source is a nuclear reactor. As is typical of thermal power stations, heat is used to generate steam that drives a steam turbine connected to a generator that produces electricity. As of 2018, the International Atomic Energy Agency reported there were 450 nuclear power reactors in operation in 30 countries.

Overview

Nuclear plants are usually considered to be base load stations since fuel is a small part of the cost of production. Their operations and maintenance costs are about the same as a fossil fuel plant, but the cost of fuel is a minor proportion of the total cost, so their costs are more predictable and stable.

Components

A nuclear power plant includes many components such as:

• Nuclear reactor - The heart of a nuclear power plant, where the nuclear fission process takes place.
• Steam generator - A device that uses the heat produced in the reactor to convert water into steam.
• Turbine - A machine that converts the energy in steam into mechanical energy.
• Electric generator - A device that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Safety and accidents

Safety is a key concern in the design, construction, operation, and decommissioning of nuclear power plants. Accidents can release dangerous radioactivity into the environment. The most serious of these are core melt accidents.

See also

• List of nuclear power stations
• Nuclear power debate
• Nuclear safety and security
• Nuclear power phase-out
• Nuclear power by country

References

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External links

• World Nuclear Association
• International Atomic Energy Agency

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