Kernkraftwerks

Kernkraftwerke, or nuclear power plants, are facilities that generate electricity by producing heat through controlled nuclear fission. The heat is used to convert water into steam, which drives turbines connected to electric generators. Most modern plants use light-water reactors, including pressurized water reactors (PWR) and boiling water reactors (BWR); other designs such as heavy-water or gas-cooled reactors exist but are less common. Nuclear fuel, typically uranium-235, is enriched and formed into fuel assemblies that sustain fission in the reactor core, releasing energy that is transferred to a primary cooling circuit and then to a secondary loop that produces steam for turbines.

Key components include the reactor vessel and core, a containment structure designed to prevent release of radioactivity, multiple cooling systems, and facilities for steam generation, electricity production, spent fuel storage, and eventual decommissioning. Fuel cycles vary, with some plants using a once-through approach and others pursuing reprocessing or recycling of spent materials.

Safety and regulation are central to operation. Nuclear plants employ layers of defense-in-depth, robust containment barriers, redundant cooling systems, radiation monitoring, and emergency response procedures. National regulators and international bodies such as the IAEA oversee design certification, safety standards, and incident reporting to minimize risk and ensure compliance.

Environmental and societal considerations include the low operational greenhouse gas emissions relative to fossil fuels, ongoing challenges of radioactive waste management and long-term storage, and the complex assessment of accident risk and risk perception by public and policymakers. Global use of Kernkraftwerke varies, with some countries maintaining nuclear power as a major electricity source while others have pursued phase-out policies.