Production: Pablo Cantudo
Alfredo García Fernández is a disseminator of nuclear science and technology, and is known on social networks as Nuclear Operator. Holder of the Nuclear Power Plant Supervisor and Operator licenses, Alfredo is a firm defender of nuclear energy as a tool to mitigate climate change.
Alfredo has just published his first book: Nuclear energy will save the world , and it offers a lot of information about nuclear energy, from the physics of nuclear power plants, to solutions such as waste treatment, and future perspectives. In addition, Nuclear Operator also combats some myths associated with this energy source, normally associated with nuclear accidents, weapons, diseases or contamination.
The back cover of the book, in fact, is a shocking statement: “You are more exposed to nuclear energy by eating a banana than by living next to a nuclear power plant for a year.” For more data, around 10 or 15% of the radiation that a human being receives will come from artificial sources, such as medical instruments (X-rays); and only 0.1% comes from nuclear energy. We asked Operador Nuclear, is there a false perception of risk with respect to nuclear power plants?
Nuclear energy, an ally to leave fossil fuels behind
The goal of humanity, to mitigate the effects of climate change, is to stop using fossil fuels, but this cannot be done overnight. Why is nuclear energy presented as an ally for this mission? What are the shortcomings of renewable energies such as wind or solar? Why is it not feasible to depend exclusively on renewables? Could the reason be the lack of investment?
Discussion
Nuclear waste and its safe and effective treatment is still the source of intense debate. How is nuclear waste stored? It is safe?
The IAEA (International Atomic Energy Agency) maintains in some reports that we have uranium reserves so that the current reactors continue to operate for up to 200 years. On the other hand, the Energy Watch Group estimates that uranium production can be maintained until 2035, if the number of plants remains approximately the same as there are currently. Is nuclear energy sustainable?
Nuclear fusion, the true environmental dream
Finally, the book pauses briefly on nuclear fusion, as the technologies for creating a ‘miniature Sun’ are still in their infancy . How long will it take to be able to use the fusion? Is more investment needed in projects like ITER? Are we delaying due to lack of investment?
Alfredo García, alias Nuclear Operator, kindly answers all these questions in one of our talks on Planet Muy.
