Going Nuclear: How the Atom Will Save the World
Introduction
Early in the year I found this book at the library by pure chance and ended up loving it. I even decided to purchase a copy for myself to keep. Dr. Tim Gregory does an excellent job of communicating the difficult ideas of nuclear physics in a digestible way. After reading it, I feel genuinely optimistic about the role nuclear energy can play in a net-zero future.
The Science behind Fission
The book opens with a few chapters explaining the physics behind how nuclear fission works, and how modern nuclear reactors are “self-moderating” by design to prevent runaway chain reactions [1].
Reliability vs. Renewables
Gregory then explores why renewable energy sources (solar, wind) are crucial, but not the full solution for a cleaner future. There were a few key takeaway points for me:
- Electricity Capacity (maximum possible power output under ideal conditions) vs. Electricity Generation (actual energy produced). For example, the UK’s wind energy capacity factor (generation / capacity) is around 30% [2]
- The reliability of energy. This one is more commonly known, but solar energy can only be generated when the sun shines, and wind energy only when the wind blows. Many grids still revert to coal and natural gas to fill that gap when demand is high but renewable generation is low.
- The increased mining activity to supply the critical minerals needed to build the infrastructure and physical parts of the wind and solar energy generators.
That all being said, I am still very much in support of all forms of clean energy - but it is good to understand the nuances and what it actually means to have a capacity of X GW compared to what is actually generated.
Nuclear Waste
Gregory discusses the by-product of nuclear energy generation. First, how it is safely stored away from humans, and second, how some of that “waste” can be reused. The book suggests that the term “nuclear waste” is a misnomer. The by-product may be unwanted, but certainly not unusable.
The chapter goes into depth about how the nuclear by-product can be used to fuel other types of nuclear reactors. For example, used fuel rods can contain about 96% of the original Uranium [3], which can be enriched and re-used as fuel. Traditional nuclear reactors also produce plutonium, which can be used as a fuel source for different types of reactors [4].
Radiophobia
The book also dedicates a chapter to the “scary” parts of nuclear energy, covering the historical accidents like Chernobyl and Fukushima.
I personally found myself feeling uncertain and fearful about nuclear energy, likely because radiation is invisible and unfamiliar. However, by using the global average background radiation (approx. 2.4 mSv/year) as a baseline, the book reframes how we perceive the risks of nuclear energy compared to everyday life.
- For example, a single dental X-ray image is around 0.005 mSv, which is roughly equal to a single day of natural background radiation.
I think the book does a great job in grounding the discussion around real numbers and facts. The dangers are real, but we have learned a lot over the decades to design safer mechanisms to avoid past catastrophes.
Beyond the Grid
The final chapters explore applications in healthcare and deep-space exploration, including how PET/CT scans rely on radioactive tracers and how iconic probes like Voyager I and II have operated for decades powered by nuclear batteries.
Final Thoughts
While I found the first half of the book more compelling, the optimistic tone of the conclusion stayed with me. This book is a great read for anyone looking to challenge their biases and understand how nuclear energy fits into a hopeful, high-energy future.
References
[2] https://wattdirection.substack.com/p/uk-offshore-wind-capacity-factors
[3] https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle
[4] https://world-nuclear.org/information-library/nuclear-fuel-cycle/fuel-recycling/plutonium