Is Nuclear Energy Renewable?
Is Nuclear Energy Renewable?
Let’s first consider a general definition of renewable energy. It is, “energy which comes from natural resources such as sunlight, wind, rain, tides, geothermal sources, and biomass, all of which are replenished naturally.”
Uranium, the fissile element typically used to make nuclear energy, is not replenished naturally and so is not “renewable.”
So, when asked the question, “Is Nuclear Energy Renewable?,” we’d reply, “no.”
To help you better distinguish the characteristics of renewable energy from those of nuclear energy, we recommend reviewing the following sites:
For a basic over-view of Renewable Energy:
- RenewableEnergyWorld.com — Provides an an excellent basic over-view concerning types of renewable energy.
- NREL.gov — National Renewable Energy Lab at the U.S. Department of Energy. Link is to NREL’s “Learning about Renewable Energy” page.
- EnergyPlanet — A superb Renewable Energy directory that lists an array of resources about Renewable Energy technology.
For a basic overview of the nuclear fuel, Uranium, typically used to produce Nuclear Energy:
