Our Industry
Our Industry
Nuclear Energy is a zero-emission clean energy source that is vital to our national energy security and decarbonization goals. It generates power through fission; the heat released by fission is used to create steam that spins a turbine to generate electricity without the harmful byproducts emitted by fossil fuels.
Nuclear energy is seen as a key source of clean, secure, and affordable energy. It is one of the most reliable sources of energy and provides 20% of all power in the US. It is the only affordable and efficient energy source which is available 24/7, and is the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the United States that protects our air quality by generating electricity without other harmful pollutants (NEI).
Many nations that have deployed nuclear power are appreciating its clean energy and energy security benefits, reaffirming their commitment, and developing plans to support existing reactor units while reviewing and developing policies to encourage more nuclear capacity.
The Nuclear Fuel Cycle
Why Nuclear?
Despite common misconceptions, nuclear energy is one of the safest sources and has seen dramatic changes over the last 50 years to make the technology even safer and more efficient.
Nuclear Energy is carbon free
It is the largest source of carbon-free electricity in the United States and protects our air quality by generating electricity without other harmful pollutants like nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, particulate matter, or mercury.
The thermal energy from nuclear reactors may also be used to decarbonize other energy-intensive sectors such as transportation – the largest contributor to carbon pollution.
Nuclear energy produces 52% of the emission free electricity in the United States and is carbon-free.
Nuclear Energy has a small land footprint
Energy density – wind farms require 360 times more land area to produce the same amount of electricity and solar photovoltaic plants require 75 times more space than nuclear energy.
Nuclear energy produces more electricity on less land than any other clean-air source.
You need more than 3 million solar panels to produce the same amount of power as a typical commercial reactor, or more than 430 wind turbines.
Nuclear Energy is dense and powerful
One uranium fuel pellet—about the size of a gummy bear—creates as much energy as one ton of coal, 149 gallons of oil or 17,000 cubic feet of natural gas. A single nuclear power reactor generates enough electricity on average to power over 700,000 homes without emitting any greenhouse gases—that’s more than enough to power a city the size of Philadelphia. In fact, America’s 94 nuclear plants produce enough electricity to power 75 million homes.
Nuclear Energy is reliable
Nuclear plants are the most efficient source of electricity, operating 24/7 at a more than 93 percent average capacity factor.
Nuclear energy is one of the most reliable sources of energy and provides 20% of all power in the US.