Coal and nuclear energy, differences and similarities

El carbon and nuclear energy They are two types of energy sources that have similar characteristics that sometimes seem to be two sides of the same coin.

How is coal and nuclear power alike? What are you two Energy sources are widely used in the world for electricity generation, are abundant resources and therefore the Energy they produce is cheap.

There are significant amounts of coal reserves in the world and of elements such as uranium, plutonium and other elements that are used to feed the Nuclear reactors.

In many countries they are used as a replacement for one another, decades ago the use of coal was reduced and the amount of nuclear energy increased.

Both elements are criticized and hated by environmentalists and by many social sectors concerned about the environment since the power plants Coal is one of the most polluting sources in the world. And in the case of nuclear energy the safety problems that could lead to nuclear accidents with catastrophic consequences and the radioactive waste they are the most conflictive points.

Both sectors have a large business lobby that promotes and defends these industries with all kinds of strategies and even in ways that are not so ethical or highly debatable. For this reason, both receive subsidies to operate from the states.

The most relevant differences is that coal produces large amounts of carbon emissions. CO2 and nuclear plants emit almost no gases into the atmosphere.

Coal plants are safer than nuclear ones. The technology is not as complex in coal plants as it is in nuclear plants.

Neither of these two energies is environmentally sustainable so they should be replaced by renewable energy to be able to produce really clean energy and safe.

Not only should the economic variable be analyzed when planning the energy matrix of a country, the aspects of safety and environmental care are equally important before deciding which industry will be given the highest priority or will be granted financial support.


Leave a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked with *

*

*

  1. Responsible for the data: Miguel Ángel Gatón
  2. Purpose of the data: Control SPAM, comment management.
  3. Legitimation: Your consent
  4. Communication of the data: The data will not be communicated to third parties except by legal obligation.
  5. Data storage: Database hosted by Occentus Networks (EU)
  6. Rights: At any time you can limit, recover and delete your information.