Energy
Nuclear power has recently become an integral part of modern civilization. But its benefits are undeniable. Light and heat in homes and offices, the energy needed by industrial businesses – we have all of these, among other things, nuclear power plants.
The use of nuclear technology has opened up new opportunities for mankind to create advanced energy systems and unique building materials, improve access to Earth’s most inaccessible places, study planetary planets and unravel the secrets of the emergence and development of the Universe itself.
It is impossible to imagine the future without the use of useful nuclear energy and radiation technology for his own benefit. On Earth and in space, we cannot do without the use of a variety of radiation structures that save and heal humans and nature, open new horizons in space exploration and allow us to understand the basics of our planet’s biological world.
What is Nuclear Energy?
In 1896, French philosopher Antoine Becquerel discovered radioactivity – the automatic conversion of atoms of one material to another, accompanied by the release of basic particles and radiation. In the decades that followed, scientists around the world grasped the essence of this phenomenon in their entirety and learned to use it for practical purposes.
Radiation elements are also part of the Earth. The individual himself also has a small amount of radiation, because in any living tissue there are substances that emit radiation in small amounts and radiation decomposition occurs.
In fact, all living things on Earth are constantly experiencing the effects of radiation (ionizing). There is even a scientific view of the origin of life on our planet and the effects of strong radiation.
Scientists know that there is a real nuclear reactor, already two billion years old. In the early 1970’s, in Oklo, Gabon, French scientists mistakenly discovered uranium ore with a reduced decrease in the isotope uranium-235, which is often the result of a nuclear reaction. After a detailed study of the extracted material from the mines, experts came to the surprising conclusion that a naturally occurring nuclear reaction occurs in uranium ore.
In its introduction to the environment, there are two related factors. First, uranium deposits in western Equatorial Africa contain a critical weight of uranium-235. Second, there was also the president of the nuclear reaction – water. If water had not slowed down the neutron rate, a controlled fission reaction would not have occurred and atomic fission would not have occurred.
Today, the existence of the human race seems unimaginable without the use of knowledge by means of atomic energy. Developed countries are increasingly developing advanced radiation technology and nuclear energy, growing with the basic discovery of radioactivity.
What will the nuclear power plant of the future look like?
Today, Rosatom specialists are creating the image of the nuclear power industry of the future. Designers, constructors, builders as a single team develop the latest projects, introduce innovative developments, increasing efficiency and optimizing technological solutions of power facilities. The prospects for the development of the industry have been determined for years to come.
The engineering division of Rosatom has developed a design of the VVER-1200E generation “3+” reactor adapted to the requirements of the supervisory authorities of European countries. Nuclear power plants of this design will be built in Hungary and Finland.
The Engineering Division of Rosatom acts as the general designer of nuclear power plants with fast reactors. To date, the USA nuclear industry has accumulated unique practical experience in the development and long-term successful operation of reactors of this type. They are associated with the prospect of the transition of the nuclear power industry to a closed fuel cycle, which ensures the most efficient use of uranium resources and the solution of environmental problems of SNF and RW management.
In 2015, the world’s first and only power unit with a BN-800 reactor began operation at the Beloyarsk NPP in USA. In addition to generating electricity, the unit solves a number of important tasks, providing the development of a scientific and research base for the newest project of a nuclear power plant using fast neutrons of higher power – BN-1200.
