Argumentative essay: Nuclear energy is the best solution to the worldwide energy crisis

(Author: Indri Cindra Kasih)

Nuclear is found in several developed countries such as America and Japan. They use nuclear
as a source of electricity generation, especially in the United States which is the largest producer of
electricity from nuclear energy in the world. Nuclear is the designation for the form of energy
produced through nuclei reactions, be they fission reactions (separation) and reaction fusion
(merging). The most common source of nuclear energy used for nuclear power plant is a radioactive
element (uranium) (Zulkarnain & Darmawan 2016). Nuclear energy is proven to be a more reliable
resource compared to other forms of renewable energy. Unlike the sun or wind, nuclear energy does
not depend on the season. Several reasons are underlying nuclear energy to be the best solution in
overcoming the world's energy crisis.
The first reason nuclear energy to be the best solution in overcoming the world’s energy crisis
is nuclear energy provides greater electrical energy than steam or other electrical energy, is more
economical and saves fuel. The process of making this energy uses radioactive material containing
uranium. Uranium is a solid metal sourced from minerals found in an abundance of 2.8 parts per
million in the crusted earth. This is a very reactive metal which does not occur in a free state at
natural, often occurring as U3O8 oxide. This element is one of the elements that contain radioactive
but is very small. The use of uranium in small amounts can provide enormous power. While in
steam power plants will require a lot of coal to get strong power. The selling price of uranium in
Japan in 2014 averaged US $ 33.93 per pound and the selling price of coal on the Newcastle ICE
market was US $ 69.6 / metric ton (Lukas 2014). “One pound of U-235 uranium fuel is equivalent
to the energy produced by burning 1500 tons of coal” Oliver S Owen (1985. p. 590, as cited in
Supriyadi 1994. p. 145). This is proven by the results of research by the International Energy
Agency (IEA) which shows that nuclear power plants are cheaper than power plants in steam using
coal, and the results obtained are the same even though the composition of materials used by
nuclear energy is a little (Hans Blix 1989, as cited in Supriyadi 1994. p. 145).
The second reason is the use of nuclear power is more environmentally friendly than other
energy. The work process of nuclear power plants is almost the same as the work processes of
conventional power plants such as steam power plants, the difference between the two types of
energy is the source of heat used. Nuclear power plants get heat supply from nuclear while steam
power plants get heat supply from burning fossil fuels such as coal or petroleum. Energy processing
in nuclear does not cause carbon dioxide gas, where carbon dioxide emissions from nuclear energy
are lower than oil-based, so it can be said that nuclear technology is a mature technology to use
(Subijanto 2004). Other literature also states that nuclear energy is energy that is safe to use and
clean because of the low carbon element present in the material used. At least the carbon content is
what causes less waste released in the process of making energy, namely the burning of radiators
carried out with water. The material used in nuclear energy is uranium or Plutonium (Pu-239) which
emits radioactive waste. Research conducted to reduce radioactive waste is by reducing the half-life
of radioactive waste. This process is called transmutation which is the best solution in the treatment
of radioactive waste (Sutono 2012). So that this energy will be safe for the environment with
appropriate waste treatment because there is less waste produced.
Therefore, nuclear energy can be the best solution in overcoming the world energy crisis. This
is because nuclear energy provides more power compared to other energy so it is more economical
and saves materials. Besides nuclear energy is also not harmful to the environment because it does
not release a lot of free carbon dioxide as in coal or other petroleum fuels, where the material
contains abundant carbon elements which makes the combustion process becomes imperfect and
wastes quite a lot of waste. The use of nuclear energy can also be utilized for the future because
given the natural materials will eventually run out so we need renewable energy to balance the
natural ecosystem.
 REFERENCES

Lukas, Hendra T, M. (2014). Harga Uranium Anjlok, Permintaan PLTN Jepang Turun. From
https://ekonomi.bisnis.com/read/20140517/44/228544/harga-uranium-anjlok-permintaan-
pltn-jepang-turun
Subijanto, Bijah. (2004). Pemanfaatan Energi Nuklir untuk Pembangkit Listrik. Prosiding Seminar
Teknologi Pengamanan Bahan Nuklir ke-5.
Supriyadi, Edy. (1994). Pusat Listrik Tenaga Nuklir: Energi dan Pengaruhnya Terhadap
Lingkungan. Cakrawala Pendidikan Nomor 1.
Sutono, Agus. (2012). Nilai Humanistik dalam Pengendalian Sumber Energi Nuklir (Kajian
Filosofis Kuasa Nilai Humanisme atas Teknologi). Jurnal Ilmiah CIVIS, Volume II, No 1.
Zulkarnain, Iskandar. (2016). Makalah Energi Nuklir. From
https://www.academia.edu/29436687/MAKALAH_ENERGI_NUKLIR