World History
- The science of atomic radiation, atomic change, and nuclear fission was developed from 1895 to 1945, most of it in the last six years.
- Over 1939-1945, most development was focused on the atomic bomb.
- From 1945 attention was given to harnessing this energy in a controlled fashion, for naval propulsion and for making electricity
- Since 1956 the prime focus has been on the technological evolution of reliable nuclear power plants.
The Worlds First Nuclear Reactor
- 1945: The worlds first nuclear power plant becomes operational in Obninsk, outside of Moscow. It was used to generate electricity, and made Obninsk one of the first Soviet scientific cities, which it still is.
Use of Nuclear Power in the U.S.
- Research of peaceful uses of nuclear material didn't start till after WWII, after we had already used nukes overseas.
- Nuclear energy was used first mostly by the Navy for ships that could travel around the world without stopping to re-fuel.
- After growth of nuclear power in the 60's, the Atomic Energy Commission anticipated that more than 1,000 reactors would be operating in the U.S. by the year 2000.
- The Three Mile Island accident has been the most serious nuclear accident so far in the U.S., along with Davis-Besse nuclear power plants accidents.
New Nuclear Technology
-There are new nuclear fission techniques
- A new type of reactors are pebble bed reactors, a graphite- moderated, gas cooled, nuclear reactor.
U.S.'s Nuclear Ratings
- The U.S. is the lead producer in nuclear energy, accounting for more than 30% of the worlds nuclear energy
- Our consumption rate is around 12,400 KWh per year
