Is Nuclear Energy the Most Promising Energy Source for a Sustainable Future?

Abstract

The use of nuclear power to produce electricity is a promising source for safe, clean, and reliable energy. Though in the past public opinion has inhibited the growth and success of this electricity source; today, with the pressure of climate change forcing the world to make a lasting change in the way our society generates electricity, nuclear power is the most prominent source for a clean energy future. The first main goal of our research is to gain knowledge to further understand Montana’s public opinion and knowledge of nuclear power, more importantly, the foundation and reasoning for their views. We have conducted a survey that asks whether the respondent is favorable or unfavorable and why they hold that opinion, then whether they feel knowledgeable or unknowledgeable about nuclear power to produce electricity. We have surveyed students at the end of two Montana State University energy and sustainability courses, and in the next semester will conduct the survey in the beginning and end of courses from the science and business backgrounds. The second main goal of our research is to gain an understanding of why nuclear power has such a high price tag associated with it. We are researching the costs through summaries of techno-economic analyses of the construction and operation of previous nuclear power plants. To achieve this goal, we have been in contact with Northwestern Energy, Idaho National Laboratory, NuScale Power, and other sources from the internet. These sources have been gracious enough to share abundant information and data regarding their economic and financial knowledge and research into the field. With this information, a further goal is to identify where nuclear power can decrease costs to make it more economically viable and competitive.