Nuclear power—benefit or threat? Nuclear Engineering and Technology Examination

Notice

This is an unedited manuscript accepted for publication and provided as an Article in Press for early access at the author’s request. The article will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and galley proof review before final publication. Please be aware that errors may be identified during production that could affect the content. All legal disclaimers of the journal apply.

Year : 2025 | Volume : 15 | Issue : 03 | Page :
    By

    V. Basil Hans,

  1. Research Professor, Srinivas University, Mangalore, Karnataka, India

Abstract

As the globe struggles with climate change and energy security, nuclear power is back in the news. This low-carbon, high-output alternative to fossil fuels can stabilise electrical networks, say supporters. Critics say catastrophic accidents, radioactive waste, high costs, and technology spread are risks. When the earth is warming quickly and energy demand is expanding worldwide, finding reliable, low-carbon energy sources is more critical than ever. Nuclear power is a potential yet contentious option. Nuclear energy can generate a lot of electricity with little greenhouse gas emissions, thus some governments and experts see it as a crucial aspect of leaving fossil fuels. However, Chernobyl, Fukushima, and Three Mile Island still influence public opinion and policy. Radioactive waste, high building costs, and the threat of nuclear war make its role in the energy mix harder. This article critically examines nuclear power’s place in today’s energy landscape and its risks and possibilities to save the globe. The essay examines new technologies, past incidents, safety rules, waste management plans, and public opinion to provide a balanced view. Nuclear power may help transition to a sustainable energy future, despite its concerns. However, tough standards, openness, and new ideas must steer this evolution. The essay discusses nuclear engineering and technology.

Keywords: Climate Change, Radioactive Waste, Energy Security, Nuclear Safety,Nuclear power

[This article belongs to Journal of Nuclear Engineering & Technology ]

How to cite this article:
V. Basil Hans. Nuclear power—benefit or threat? Nuclear Engineering and Technology Examination. Journal of Nuclear Engineering & Technology. 2025; 15(03):-.
How to cite this URL:
V. Basil Hans. Nuclear power—benefit or threat? Nuclear Engineering and Technology Examination. Journal of Nuclear Engineering & Technology. 2025; 15(03):-. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jonet/article=2025/view=233188


References

  1. DAuria F. Nuclear fission: From E. Fermi to Adm. Rickover, to industrial exploitation, to nowadays challenges.
  2. Singh AK, Singha N. Environmental impact of nuclear power: Law and policy measures in India. Humanities & Social Sciences Reviews. 2016 Nov 20;4(2):88-95.
  3. McMullen D. Nuclear Power without the Phobia (2007).
  4. Dong P, Hawker E, Martinez E. Session 1e:2018 Nuclear Energy: Then, Now and the Future.
  5. Kim L. Safeguards-by-design for advanced nuclear systems2017.
  6. Rothwell G. Economics of nuclear power. Routledge; 2018 Dec 7.
  7. Mavric H. A comprehensive assessment of gen-IV small modular reactors: Challenges and opportunities 2024.
  8. Schröder WU. Energy realpolitik: towards a sustainable energy strategy. arXiv preprint arXiv:0804.2159. 2008 Apr 11.
  9. Toan NC. Economic efficiency of the nuclear power industry and social aspects of its development. Вестник Российского университета дружбы народов. Серия: Экономика. 2018;26(4):598-608.
  10. Welch R. Atomic Dreams: Exploring the Promise of Nuclear Energy in Central-Eastern Europe. InClaremont-UC Undergraduate Research Conference on the European Union 2019 (Vol. 2019, No. 1, p. 10).
  11. Koebel TJ. PUBLIC RISK PERCEPTIONS TOWARD SOCIALLY CONTENTIOUS TECHNOLOGY: HOW CULTURAL VALUES AND BASIC KNOWLEDGE AFFECT NUCLEAR ENERGY RISK ASSESSMENTS (Doctoral dissertation, University of Saskatchewan).
  12. Shobeiri E, Genco F, Hoornweg D, Tokuhiro A. Small modular reactor deployment and obstacles to be overcome. Energies. 2023 Apr 15;16(8):3468.
  13. Kent RS. Environmental Aspects of the Nuclear Fuel Cycle and High-Level Radioactive Waste Disposal 1979.
  14. Angus SB. Radioactive Waste and Euratom: Towards a More Effective Regime of Regulation. Hastings Int’l & Comp. L. Rev.. 1992;16:343.
  15. Sentell DS. A quantitative assessment of nuclear weapons proliferation risk utilizing probabilistic methods (Doctoral dissertation, Massachusetts Institute of Technology).
  16. Golay M. The Fukushima Nuclear Event and its Implications for Nuclear Power. InAPS New England Section Fall Meeting Abstracts 2011 Nov (pp. B1-002).
  17. Kuznetsov V, Fesenko G, Schwenk-Ferrero A, Andrianov A, Kuptsov I. Innovative nuclear energy systems: state-of-the art survey on evaluation and aggregation judgment measures applied to performance comparison. Energies. 2015 Apr 30;8(5):3679-719.
  18. Robock Z. Economic Solutions to Nuclear Energy’s Financial Challenges. Mich. J. Envtl. & Admin. L.. 2015;5:501.
  19. Burgin DS. Nukes or no nukes: how does the community view the Salem & Hope Creek Nuclear Generating Stations (2022).
  20. Barnes PM. Going forward into the past: the resurrection of the EURATOM Treaty2007.
  21. Van Hecke K. Nuclear energy in the European Union? Egmont European Affairs Working Paper, 2007.
  22. Husdal L, Tveit J, Vaagen JS, Ridikas D, Samfunns-og Naeringslivsforskning BN. State- of-the-art research: Reflections on a concerted Nordic-Baltic nuclear energy effort. Samfunns-og Naeringslivsforskning, Bergen (Norway); 2009 Sep 1.
  23. Uhrig RE, Tsoukalas LH. Soft computing technologies in nuclear engineering applications. Progress in Nuclear Energy. 1999 Jan 1;34(1):13-75.
  24. Banford HM, Fouracre RA. Nuclear technology and ageing. IEEE Electrical Insulation Magazine. 2002 Aug 6;15(5):19-27.

Regular Issue Subscription Review Article
Volume 15
Issue 03
Received 04/10/2025
Accepted 06/10/2025
Published 27/11/2025
Publication Time 54 Days


Login


My IP

PlumX Metrics