Position Paper
Muhammad Hussain
Writing For Engineering
City College of New York
Julianne Davidow
4/7/24
In the face of growing demand and the threat of climate change, New York City finds itself at a pivotal point in its pursuit of sustainable energy. When it comes to acceptable options for lowering carbon emissions, nuclear energy stands out as one that warrants serious consideration and funding. This position paper highlights nuclear energy’s potential for meeting energy needs while addressing environmental issues and argues for its adoption by New York City. Nuclear power presents a viable option in the worldwide effort to mitigate climate change, this is due to its low carbon footprint, great efficiency, and dependability. Accepting nuclear energy is critical to New York City’s transition to a sustainable future; it goes beyond a simple desire and becomes a prerequisite for creating a more resilient and healthier environment.
With a remarkable 92.5% capacity factor (Energy.gov, 2021), nuclear energy tops all other energy sources. In other words, nuclear power plants continuously run close to their maximum capacity, guaranteeing a steady and dependable supply of electricity. Other renewable energy sources, such as solar and wind, have much smaller capacity factors than these, which can cause intermittency problems and a need for backup power sources. Furthermore, nuclear reactors can produce electricity consistently for decades because of their lengthy lifespan, with some having been in operation for more than 40 years. Reliability is one of the strongest reasons in favor of nuclear energy. In contrast to weather-dependent and intermittent renewable energy sources like solar and wind, nuclear power plants are able to run continuously, supplying a steady base load of electricity. The dependability of nuclear energy cannot be more stressed, especially in a densely populated and economically active city like New York, where power outages can have serious consequences. The large capacity factors of nuclear power plants guarantee steady electricity output even in times of heavy demand or bad weather. Moreover, by lowering dependency on imported fuels, nuclear energy improves energy security. Currently, a major source of energy for NYC is natural gas, which is subject to price fluctuations and geopolitical unrest. NYC may diversify its energy sources and reduce the hazards associated with an excessive reliance on any one fuel type through nuclear energy investments. This diversification protects against supply chain interruptions and geopolitical conflicts, making the energy system more secure and resilient. Additionally, the nuclear industry offers numerous job opportunities in a number of fields, from engineering and manufacturing to research and regulatory affairs. NYC can develop a competitive edge in the global clean energy market and draw investment from businesses looking to take advantage of the city’s knowledge and resources by developing a trained workforce in nuclear energy.
One of the most significant advantages of nuclear energy is its low impact on the environment. Nuclear power facilities produce barely any greenhouse gasses when in operation, however, some carbon dioxide is released during the mining of uranium, this is in contrast to power plants that run on fossil fuels, which are a major cause of both climate change and air pollution. Nuclear energy generates roughly 12 grams of Co2 or 12 g CO2e/kWh for each kilowatt hour of operation, while Natural gas produces 290-930 g CO2e/kWh, Oil produces 510-1170 g CO2e/kWh, and Coal produces 740-1689 g CO2e/kWh (COWI, 2023). In addition, nuclear energy uses a lot less land than other renewable energy sources like solar and wind. As we can see from this quote “A typical nuclear reactor produces 1 gigawatt (GW) of electricity. That doesn’t mean you can simply replace it with a 1 gigawatt coal or renewable plant. Based on the capacity factors above, you would need almost two coal or three to four renewable plants (each of 1 GW size) to generate the same amount of electricity onto the grid” (Energy.gov, 2021), When compared to equal wind or solar farms, a 1,000-megawatt nuclear station takes up significantly less area, protecting important habitats and land. When considering climate change and the need to cut greenhouse gas emissions, nuclear energy becomes a vital instrument for decarbonizing the electricity industry. Because of all this, this paper firmly supports the incorporation of nuclear energy into New York City’s energy portfolio.
Although safety concerns about nuclear power are often brought up as a counterargument, they are frequently exaggerated and misinterpreted. Modern nuclear reactors are outfitted with advanced safety systems and are subject to strict regulation and oversight to ensure public safety. There is a very slim chance that a serious accident would ever happen in a nuclear power station, and the industry continues to invest in research and development to improve safety measures. Nuclear power is always becoming a more appealing alternative due to developments in nuclear technology, such as compact modular reactors, which provide even more safety and flexibility. The development of advanced reactor designs, such as small modular reactors (SMRs) and next-generation fast reactors, holds the promise of enhanced safety, reduced waste, and lower costs. By supporting research and development in nuclear technology, NYC can position itself as a leader in the clean energy transition and stimulate economic growth through job creation and technological innovation.
In conclusion, nuclear energy is a dependable energy source that is essential for densely populated places like New York City due to its remarkable 92.5% capacity factor. Nuclear power facilities run continuously, lowering the possibility of power outages in contrast to intermittent renewable energy sources. Their lower footprint and negligible effect on the environment make them essential for decarbonization while preserving urban environments. Nuclear power is positioned as an energy solution as well as a catalyst for innovation and economic progress thanks to strict regulation and cutting-edge safety features that solve safety concerns. Adopting nuclear energy allows NYC to become a leader in the worldwide clean energy transition while securing a stable, low-carbon energy supply, improving energy security, reducing environmental effects, and promoting economic development.
References:
Comparing CO2 emissions from different energy sources. (2023, September 20). COWI. https://www.cowi.com/about/news-and-press/comparing-co2-emissions-from-different-energy-sources International evidence. Sciencedirect.com. https://www-sciencedirect-com.ccny-proxy1.libr.ccny.cuny.edu/science/article/pii/S0301421523000630?via%3Dihub
How many wind turbines would it take to equal the energy output of one typical nuclear reactor? | MIT Climate Portal. (2024, January 4). Climate.mit.edu. https://climate.mit.edu/ask-mit/how-many-wind-turbines-would-it-take-equal-energy-output-one-typical-nuclear-reactor
Nuclear Power Is the Most Reliable Energy Source and It’s Not Even Close. (2021, March 24). Energy.gov; Office of Nuclear Energy. https://www.energy.gov/ne/articles/nuclear-power-most-reliable-energy-source-and-its-not-even-close
Smoot, G. (n.d.). What Is the Carbon Footprint of Hydropower Energy? A Life-Cycle Assessment. Impactful Ninja. https://impactful.ninja/the-carbon-footprint-of-hydropower
