ENV100Y5 Chapter Notes - Chapter 17: Radioactive Waste, Overexploitation, Biodiesel

• School: UTM
• Department: Environment
• Course: ENV100Y5
• Professor: Monika Havelka

Document Summary

Hydroelectric power: the kinetic energy of moving water is used to turn turbines and generate electricity. Modern hydropower uses two approaches: kinetic energy of water in two major ways: Disadvantage of nuclear: nuclear waste is radioactive, disposal problem has not been solved satisfactorily, accidents can be catastrophic, very small risk of very big accidents! It is enormously expensive to build, maintain, operate, and ensure the safety of nuclear facilities: electricity is more expensive than from coal and other sources, nuclear power poses small risks of large accidents, meltdown: When coolant water drains from the reactor vessel, temperatures rise uncontrollably in the reactor core! Metal casements surrounding the uranium fuel rods can began to melt! Radiation can be released: radioactive waste disposal is problematic, geologic isolation is the disposal method of choice among nations that are currently seeking permanent repositories for high-level waste.