![]() Alternative processes such as nuclear fusion are still only in the development stages. Through chain reactions of either plutonium or uranium, a nuclear reactor creates heat that is then used to power a turbine. Nuclear power is generated by allowing for nuclear fission in the contained environments of power stations. ![]() In fact, between 20, capacity utilization, measured by output compared to available peak day capacity, by all nuclear reactors combined rose from 86.6 to 92.7 percent. Rather, improvements in technology that allow for higher maximum peak power output and improved efficiency have led to the increase in generated electricity. ![]() While a few reactors have been added in recent years, they supply relatively little additional energy. Over the same period, though, generation of electricity by nuclear reactors has increased by roughly 50 percent. As outlined in our recent report Renewable Sources: What Is the State of Renewable Energy in 2022?, nuclear energy makes up roughly 20 percent of total domestic electricity supply.Ĭapacity of nuclear power generation in the US peaked in the late 1980s and has not materially changed over the last three decades. In fact, the US is the largest producer of nuclear power in the world, making up roughly 30 percent of the total electricity generated globally from this source. Nuclear power has been a consistent source of electricity for the US over the last several decades. Such a distributed nuclear energy reactor option would allow businesses to use stable electricity sources at more modest cost and with reduced security concerns. The Department of Energy is currently piloting reactor designs that would allow for lower-cost energy generation in cases when the demand for electricity might not easily be met by the current grid.
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