Introduction
In the modern times when there is continuous emphasis on clean energy, one of the viable means is through nuclear power generation. The main raw material for the same is uranium and Australia is one of the largest global exporters of uranium. The reason of interest lies in policies related to mining of uranium. Australia is third largest producer of uranium after Kazakhstan and Canada. Having no nuclear power station in Australia, most of Uranium mined is not used onshore but for export.
But, the recent years have been bad for the uranium miners in Australia as there has been a severe decline in the uranium prices and these have reached their historical lows adversely impacting the Australian economy (Green, 2016). This particular
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Further, the western countries also responded by taking the decision to gradually shift to other energy means instead of nuclear energy. Additionally, there are concerns in the west about the nuclear liability clause as well which potentially could be beyond imagination. The developing countries which were earlier embarking on a glorious journey to embrace nuclear energy have come to a halt as staunch resistance has been faced by residents and non-government groups with regards to safety of these nuclear plants. This has lowered the cumulative uranium demand which in terms of demand and supply theory can be expressed as highlighted …show more content…
The justification of the uranium price by the current demand and supply was apparent when the news of few reactors opening in Japan did little to provide an upward momentum to uranium prices. This is because, the nuclear reactors situated in Japan already have uranium stocks which are expected to serve them for many years and hence any additional demand is not likely (Cormack, 2014). Also, with the other developed world making a policy shift away from nuclear energy, it is difficult that any significant uranium demand would emerge from any of these nations. The only exception is in the form of Russia which still is embracing nuclear energy but it does not add to the international demand as it is bestowed with rich uranium deposits both at home and neighbouring nations (Green,
The state government's approach on Australia’s energy policy has provoked much debate in recent media. The Australian opinion piece, titled ‘Energy policy has become a racket and the madness must stop’ (November 7, 2016) was written by an Australian economist, Judith Sloan, in response to this debate. Sloan presents a mocking and skeptical tone where she argues that ‘it’s time for the federal government to intervene to stop this madness’. She attacks the Australian state governments by portraying its management techniques which are contrary to her ideals as foolish, uncaring and deceitful. This creates distrust of this section of the government in the audience and further supports her view by using evidence and appeals to hip pocket nerve to gain approval of ‘the Australian taxpayer’.
In “Nuclear Power is Not the Answer,” Helen Caldicott argues that pursuing nuclear energy would be a detriment to the United States. According to Caldicott, nuclear power, contrary to what the industry claims, is not clean and green, but rather a pollutant and a strong contributor to the destruction of the ozone layer. Because of the availability of uranium ore steadily decreasing, the process is requiring more and more fossil fuels to extract the ore. Caldicott projects that within ten to twenty years, nuclear reactors will be counterproductive because of the amount of fossil fuel it will take to mine the remaining uranium. In addition to air pollution, nuclear power plants also emit radioactive gases and materials that have the potential
However, there are few opposition opinions. “Rebuttal”: a) Environmental Impact - The process of mining and refining uranium hasn’t been a clean process. b) Nuclear Accidents - The Chernobyl accident that occurred on 26 April 1986 at the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant in Ukraine was the worst nuclear accident in the history. c) High Cost - At present, the nuclear business let waste cool for a considerable length of time before blending it with glass and putting away it in enormous cooled, solid structures.
Nuclear Energy IS Australia’s Future Introduction: I wholeheartedly believe that Nuclear Energy will play an inevitably central role as a reliable energy source in Australia’s future. Australia must invest in Nuclear energy because coal and oil are becoming scarce, requires less fuel and is eco-friendly. Australia is blessed with the world’s largest known uranium resources (a bountiful 38% according to Professor Mary O’Kane NSW Chief Scientist and Engineer). ANSTO (Australian Nuclear Science and Technology Organisation) reports: ‘No country of Australia’s economic size or larger is without nuclear power’.
They are having second thoughts. In addition, the costly price of nuclear power plants and nuclear inflexibilty, meaning it has slow start up and shutdown hours. Finally, as I mentioned before, nuclear waste, a very hazardous
Department of the Prime Minister and Cabinet (2012) in White paper pointed out that 21st century is the Asian century. Many Asian countries are growing rapidly and influencing all over the world. This is because, Asia is the most populous in the world so they will produce a large number of goods and services and numerous of goods and services are consumed by them in a few years. Australian economy, society and environment have been already changed in the Asian century. There are many opportunities for Australian economy and society.
• The development of VTEC that gives opportunity for aboriginal group for education and employment. Threats: • The intense competition between other companies such as Rio Tinto and BHP Billiton and the partnership of the two companies in the operation in Pilbara will be a significant factor in the competition in the iron ore industry. • The new generations are becoming more concern of the carbon emissions thus a strict environment approach will be needed by the FMG to continue its mining operation in the future and may call for a higher
Part 1: The Reserve Bank of Australia utilises the monetary policy and sets the target for the overnight cash interest rate to ensure a stable financial system and maximise the safety and efficiency of the payments system. It aims to affect the entire nations range of interest rates in order to influence the level of planned aggregate spending. These changes in the overnight cash interest rate impacts the demand and supply of all financial assets. Their main objectives include the stability of currency, full employment, welfare and prosperity and the target of 2-3% inflation per annum.
During my internship with URENCO, I hope to gain a set of new skills and refine my current set of skills to improve and further myself in life. I would like to learn more about the nuclear energy industry and its finances. I believe the uranium enrichment trade provides a huge financial boost to the global economy, but it is severely underestimated in the market as opposed to other commonly traded commodities such as crude oil, gold, and
Many fear that the high number of earthquakes in the region could cause a possible leakage. This would most definitely harm not only our environment but also eventually infiltrate our drinking water. What if a big earthquake released a portion of the nuclear waste before we could contain it again? This is where Muller does a great job of explaining to the reader that more research must go into leakage prevention rather than absolute containment. Muller uses mathematics and science to show how we have the possibility of being exposed to less radioactivity with the toxic waste, than if we never dug the uranium up in the first place.
Nuclear energy is one of the several alternative energy sources that have been introduced ever since. Nuclear energy’s various advantages entice many countries to start practicing it. One must consider the amount of energy generated by nuclear fuels, as they are highly-concentrated energy sources. Small uranium pellets, which are the most common form of fuel in generating nuclear energy, can generate as much electricity as a trainload full of coal does. In addition, nuclear power plants do not produce green house gases as byproducts.
With nuclear power plants, anyone near an ocean (or pipeline to an ocean) can have an abundant supply of potable water. Yes, the world has a water problem. But it has a bigger problem with authoritarianism. Despots and dictators will use this liquid gold to disrupt peace, accumulate power, and force neighbors to submit Yesterday, nations went to war for land.
One cannot deny that some nuclear waste is produced and that it is radioactive. However, according to the World Nuclear Association in many countries, nuclear waste accounts for just 1% of all toxic wastes. This means that only a small amount of waste is produced and it would be easy to contain. Furthermore, the BBC states that you are able to reprocess nuclear waste and reuse up to 97% of it. This means that waste can be reduced even further and that that supplies of Uranium can be sustained for longer.
A major reason why Nuclear Power Plants are non-operational in Australia is because of the disadvantages which come with it. As Lucas Heights closed, Australia has been witnessed to safer energy, environment although, our major electricity source is also a non-renewable source which means coal will eventually as well. Though Australia does not need a nuclear power plant at this time, it is something that Australian citizens and government may have to take a liking to. If you take reference to Appendix A, the power plant has developed many different features which can help this new age energy devices generate enough electricity without effecting the citizen and the environment around it. According to Appendix A, the developed nuclear power plant contains a
Structure 1. Abstract and introduction: The energy crisis problem, Introduction of the topic (nuclear energy), thesis statement, why the problem is important, how I'm going to analyze and solve it in the next chapters. 2. Chapter 1: Historical background and functioning of nuclear energy: The history and how does nuclear energy work is critical to understand the uses and the dangers of this type of energy. 3.