NewClear Future
Emissions Scope: 1 & 2
Project Keywords:
Nuclear, Energy, Radiation, Safety, Reactor
Embedded Files
Driving Question:
Driving Question:
What are the differing perceptions of nuclear energy among various groups, and how do these perceptions affect its adoption as a viable energy source?
What is Nuclear Energy?
Fission is the process in which a heavy atom splits into two lighter atoms. This is the process that we have successfully harnessed to produce electricity as well as nuclear weapons. Fusion is a process in which two light atoms combine to form a larger atom. This process has been used in the creation of nuclear weapons but not successfully used to collect electricity.
What is Radiation?
Radiation is the transmission of energy in the form of waves. There are many types of radiation. Nuclear radiation is a form of ionizing radiation that originates from the nuclei of an atom. Radiation can be damaging but is naturally occurring. Measured in millisieverts a person receives about 2.4mSv of radiation per year, a full body CT scan is 10 mSv. The average yearly limit for nuclear workers is 20mSv, but each power plant will have different specific limits.
How do Nuclear Power Plants Work?
How do Nuclear Power Plants Work?
The San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station, SONGS, used pressurized water reactors to generate energy. A pressurized water reactor works by pumping water at high pressure through the reactor core. It is at a high pressure so it remains water while being heated above 100 degrees Celsius. The water that has been heated by the reactor then moves through a heat exchanger. The heat exchanger uses cool external water to create steam. The steam powers the generator, producing electricity.
Can you please introduce yourself and your experiences with decarbonization?
"My name is Julie Chang Holt, I am a registered professional mechanical engineer. I have worked at SONGS for over 25 years. I worked in the engineering, regulatory affairs and departments, and since the plant shut down, I am on the Communications and Public outreach team.
In my career at Southern California Edison, in addition to working at the nuclear generating plant, I have visited and inspected wind farms, hydro plants and coal plants. So have had some experiences in decarbonization." - Julie Chang Holt
We are interested in gathering a diverse range of perspectives on nuclear energy. How have your experiences with energy technologies and decarbonization efforts shaped your opinion on implementing nuclear energy?
"In my opinion, nuclear energy should continue to play the important role in the nation’s electricity generation portfolio. From my experiences I learned that the capacity of the wind and hydro plants are a fraction of what a base load nuclear plant can produce." - Julie Chang Holt
How would you say nuclear energy compares to other sources of clean energy in terms of safety and efficacy?
"Compared to the other forms of clean energy, nuclear is more reliable and predictable for generating base load electricity. Nuclear generation is very safe -for the workers, public and environment." - Julie Chang Holt
What factors influence attitudes toward nuclear power?
"Some of the general public do not understand science and the effects of radiation – what it is and what it is not. This lack of understanding of basic science causes unnecessary worry and can lead to misinformation/fearmongering." - Julie Chang Holt
When dealing with such a sensitive topic, how do you approach education to ensure accurate understanding and informed discourse?
"At SONGS we provide free walking tours, two Saturdays each month, that are open to the public. These tours are led by engineers, scientists and radiation protection professionals that once worked at the plant – and the information is provided in a conversational, non-technical way so that even the very technical aspects of how the plant operated can be easily understood. The tour provides an opportunity to see first the site with their own eyes and ask any questions they have. We also have a radiation protection education booth were we describe the different types of radiation, have a Geiger counter demonstration. We use this opportunity to address any misinformation or myths that the public may read or hear about." - Julie Chang Holt
What do you think the average person should know about nuclear energy?
"That’s a good question. The average person should know that nuclear energy is extremely safe. I strongly encourage the average person to watch the Oliver Stone documentary Nuclear Now, which provided a candid perspective of the history of nuclear generation and its pros and cons." - Julie Chang Holt
In your opinion, what are the key technological advancements or innovations needed to improve the safety and efficiency of nuclear energy?
"In my opinion, the key advancement needed for nuclear energy is not a technical issue – it is a political one. A national permanent spent fuel storage facility is needed so that the public can see the full life cycle of the nuclear fuel and its disposal. This will encourage and allow more nuclear plants to be constructed. For example, in 1976, the state of California placed a moratorium on the construction and licensing of new nuclear fission reactors until the federal government implements a solution to radioactive waste disposal." - Julie Chang Holt
What steps do you think need to be taken for nuclear energy to be utilized more widespreadly?
"As mentioned above, a solution for the inventory of spent nuclear fuel must be provided and the US Dept of Energy should deliver on its promise to commercial nuclear plants made decades ago. The general public should understand the need for base load electrical generation capacity in the US to support critical infrastructures." - Julie Chang Holt
How do you believe decommissioning nuclear plants will affect our future?
"All technologies have a design life cycle, and some nuclear plants have fully lived their useful life. It is the early shutdown and decommissioning of nuclear plants for political reasons (not technical) that will negatively impact the energy security of the future. There is usually not a plan of replacement energy for the plants that have shut down early." - Julie Chang Holt
Do you have any final comments about nuclear energy?
"Glad to know you are interested in learning more about nuclear energy. It is this curiosity that will help you decide the trajectory of the nation’s energy future. All electrical generating stations have waste streams and some sort of environmental impact – whether it be CO2 emissions and airborne particulates from fossil fuels, hazardous materials from used solar panels, bird impingements and large footprint of wind farms or spent nuclear fuel from nuclear generation. It will be important to fully analyze and assess these technologies and their value and risks. Keeping a diverse portfolio of energy generation is important." - Julie Chang Holt
Meet the Team
Name: Emily Munch
Major: Materials Physics
Name: David Guido
Major: Math/CS
Name: Dhanvi Patel
Major: Data Science
Name: Emily Landers
Major: Chemical Engineering
Name: Daniel Burstein
Major: Math/CS
Project Deliverables
Project Deliverables
Additional Project Materials
Additional Project Materials
Future Directions & Remaining Questions
Future Directions & Remaining Questions
The SONGS community offered for us to come back with more planning to organize a VIP walking tours
Adam is having events with his organizational groups that relate to nuclear energy at UCSD that could be a place for more specific work with a SYN 100 group
Using connection to Carl Salas (decarbonization study) to find more people to interview
Interviews with more distinctly opposed persons could also add to the project
Interacting with the Fusion researches on campus
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