Research Determines Hydroelectric And Nuclear Power Plants Are Cleaner Sources Of Energy
In an article published in the journal Scientific Reports , researchers from the Norwegian University of Science and Technology investigated the impact of electrical production, considering its annual energy density. That is, they calculated the energy produced by each energy modality and divided it by the space occupied by the power plants of each type, making it possible to point out which energy sources are more or less efficient in relation to their area.
According to the study, the renewable energy source with the highest energy density is hydroelectric power and the non-renewable source is nuclear. To arrive at this result, data from 870 power plants were analyzed. Environmental impacts were not considered beyond the area occupied by the energy matrix, such as, for example, the emission of gases that cause the greenhouse effect.
For Ricardo Galvão, a professor at USP’s Institute of Physics (IF) and current president of the National Council for Scientific and Technological Development (CNPq), the result of nuclear energy is interesting. In addition to having a high energy density, this energy source does not emit greenhouse gases. However, he argues that “when the only option is to burn fossil fuels, I consider it better to use nuclear”.
According to the professor, compared to other countries, Brazil is in a “very comfortable” position regarding the production of clean energy. However, this production is intermittent, that is, it fluctuates at different times of the year. To overcome this deficiency, a constant energy base is needed, which today is composed mostly of fossil fuels. “This constant base has to be maintained, and the best thing is to use nuclear energy, which pollutes less. However, it should not be more than 5% of the entire national energy matrix”, defends Galvão.
The article points out that around 80% of the energy produced worldwide comes from fossil fuels and finds that by 2050, if efforts to zero greenhouse gas emissions continue, the territorial area dedicated to energy production should increase sixfold.
The challenges imposed on each country are unique in their social and geographic conditions. However, the expert reinforces the privileged position in which Brazil finds itself, “70% of our electricity matrix comes from the production of hydroelectric plants, but we are also advancing substantially in the production of wind energy and photovoltaic energy”.