Nuclear Energy

Nuclear energy (or atomic energy) is an energy released from atomic nucleuses through nuclear reactions. Nuclear energy can be released through one of the three nuclear reactions. The first is nuclear fission. Heavy atomic nucleuses have fission to generate binding energy. The second is nuclear fusion. Light atomic nucleuses gather together to release binding energy. The third is nuclear decay. Atomic nucleuses release energy in spontaneous decay.

Nuclear energy power generation is a method for generating power from thermal energy released by nuclear fission in nuclear reactors. It uses nuclear reactors and steam generators to replace boilers in thermal power generation and uses nuclear fission energy to replace chemical energy of mineral fuels. It is an important approach for achieving low-carbon power generation.

There are quite rich nuclear resources in the world. Nuclear fuels include uranium, thorium deuterium, lithium and boron. Uranium reserves in the world are around 4.17 million tons. The energy that can be provided by exploitable nuclear fuel resources on earth is more than a hundred thousand times the energy provided by mineral fuels. Nuclear energy power generation is therefore one of the most promising energy sources in future.