Geography in the News: What will we do with all our nuclear waste?

Useful for students studying energy.

Geography in the News: What will we do with all our nuclear waste?

Useful for students studying energy.

Geological disposal facilities (GDFs) for radioactive waste are seen as the best option for the long term disposal of radioactive waste.

Watch this short clip which highlights what the underground disposal unit would be like:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-19819973

Discussion over where and how to dispose of our nuclear waste has been going on for decades since the 1940s. Cumbria was the last option for an underground disposal unit that would hold decades worth of radioactive waste produced in nuclear power stations and other areas. On Wednesday it was announced that Cumbria’s County Council had rejected the decision to host the underground unit.

Read the article from the BBC news:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-cumbria-21253673

What will we do with the legacy waste (radioactive waste produced in the past) and any new radioactive waste? And what does this mean for the future of nuclear power stations?

Quiz:

1. Are you pro or anti nuclear power? Justify!

2. Does the UK government seem to be pro or anti nuclear power? What evidence do you have?

3. Why does it appear that Cumbria’s council rejected plans for the geological disposal unit?

4. What are the alternatives to nuclear energy for the UK?

5.What do you think are the UK’s 3 main types of energy?

6. Put the following energy types in order of importance in the UK: nuclear, oil, gas, coal, renewables.

Answers:

1. Me personally, I am anti nuclear energy. I find it hugely concerning that we have no storage for legacy waste, let alone new waste we are producing. On top of that there
are currently 4 nuclear reactors that are being planned to be build by EDF. There are alternative renewable methods: the success of wind power
can be seen in Denmark and we are an island nation so wind should be efficiently used off shore.

2. David Cameron is pro nuclear – the government are working with EDF (French energy TNC) who are building 4 new nuclear reactors. It is seen as a low carbon fuel and will aid the UK achieve its carbon emission targets.
3. It appears there are two main reasons: firstly it cannot be guaranteed that the rock type is suitable and secondly, it is feared that it may tarnish the reputation of the Lake District, a beautiful scenic part of the country, which could in turn harm tourism.

4. Renewable energies: wind, wave, tidal, solar, geothermal, HEP and biomass. Some options are more suitable to the UK than others. Fracking is also an option that appears to be being developed.

5. Gas, oil and coal are the 3 biggest contributors to our energy mix. Nuclear is only 9% and renewable energies just 2%.
6. Gas, oil, coal, nuclear, renewables. This is obviously very changeable: fracking will increase the amount of gas and offshore wind projects and renewable energy targets will increase these two energy types in the future.