GGR202H5 Lecture Notes - Lecture 49: Nuclear Reactor, Nuclear Fuel Cycle, Candu Reactor
Document Summary
Hydro, nuclear, and biomass are conventional energy alternatives. Fuelwood and other biomass sources provide ~10% of the world"s energy, nuclear power. Nuclear energy and hydro each account for nearly one-sixth of the world"s electricity generation. Canada relies heavily on hydroelectric power generation (~60% hydro for electricity generation) Hydroelectric power uses the kinetic energy of moving water to turn turbines and generate electricity. Dams harness kinetic energy by storing water in reservoirs. Run-of-river generates energy without greatly disrupting the flow of river water. Hydropower has advantages over fossil fuels for producing electricity: It is renewable: as long as precipitation fills rivers we can use water to turn turbines. It is clean: no carbon dioxide is emitted. It is efficient: eroi is about 10:1, as high as any modern-day energy source (oil is currently about 5:1) One way to measure the relative efficiency of energy sources is by calculating energy returned on investment (eroi) = energy obtained/energy invested.