Environmental Engineering Reference
In-Depth Information
chain reaction got out of control and the result was a nuclear meltdown. The radio-
activity that was released produced high radiation levels in places as far away
as Germany. Many helpers who tried to contain the damage on site paid for their
efforts with their lives and thousands of people died from cancer in the years that
followed.
Another problem with the civilian use of nuclear energy is the disposal of radioac-
tive waste. The use of uranium fuel elements in nuclear power stations produces
large quantities of radioactive waste that will create a deadly threat for centuries to
come. No safe way has yet been found to dispose of this waste.
Technically, the use of nuclear energy is fascinating and the prospect of generating
electricity from relatively small amounts of fuel is very tempting. But there are
serious risks involved. Germany has therefore agreed to a general decommissioning
of its nuclear energy plants. Once the last nuclear energy plant has been switched
off, the country's adventure into this fi eld will have cost the German federal govern-
ment alone more than 40 billion euros in research and development. Germany's
most expensive leisure park has become a bizarre showpiece for the enormous bad
investment in nuclear energy. The prototype for a fast breeder reactor was erected
for around 4 billion euros in the North Rhine-Westphalian town of Kalkar. Due to
concerns about safety, including those relating to the highly reactive cooling agent
sodium, the nuclear plant was never put into operation. Today the Kernwasser
Wunderland Kalkar leisure park is located in the industrial ruins of the nuclear plant
(Figure 1.4 ).
Figure 1.4 The Kernwasser Wunderland leisure park is in the grounds of a fast breeder reactor in
Kalkar that was never put into operation. Photos: www.wunderlandkalkar.eu.
Whereas Germany reluctantly turned its back on nuclear energy after many years
of grappling with the potential it offers, other countries have taken a totally different
stance. One example is France, which uses nuclear power to supply about 80% of
its electricity needs. China is also enthusiastic about the use of nuclear and, due to
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