| Summary: | 碩士 === 國立彰化師範大學 === 公共事務與公民教育學系 === 101 === Non-renewable fossil fuels are limited in supply, of them, oil reserves would run out in 40 years, natural gas in 60 years and coal which we all agree is much more than oil would be depleted in the next 200 years. Under such an imperative situation, nuclear power including nuclear fission and nuclear fusion offers the hope to provide a viable energy alternative to fossil fuels, though there are still giant bottlenecks and issues with nuclear fusion. However, doubts cast over the safety of nuclear power after the accident at Three Mile Island in the United States in 1979 and the Chernobyl disaster in the former Soviet Union in 1986. Both plants have been in operation for more than fifty(50) years when the accidents occurred. The Fukushima nuclear disaster after a 9.0 magnitude earthquake hit Japan on March 11, 2011 further shatters our confidence in the safety of nuclear energy. Imagine what would happen if such a massive disaster occurred in Taiwan. It must be a catastrophe that can never be recovered. In view of this, it should be the time to reconsider nuclear energy policy and this is also the primordial purpose of this study.
The study investigates and emphasizes detailed contextual analysis of nuclear fission, nuclear fusion and other renewable energy by listing their advantages and disadvantages and providing data summaries and recommendations that could be used by the authorities concerned in the reconsideration of nuclear energy policy.
The study also refers to conclusions from three recent National Energy Conferences and recommendations made by experts in the meetings. In addition, “The past is a good teacher.” To achieve the goal of reconsidering nuclear energy policy, it is inevitable that relevant laws will be eventually amended. A country’s energy policy is a basket of a number of policies that are concerned with energy markets and energy issues, reference must be made to major regulations and past experiences to ensure the reconsideration a success.
The findings of the study indicate that it is possible to replace nuclear power with renewable energy. Renewable energy will ultimately replace all non-renewable energy including nuclear power that accounts for less than 20% of total electricity generated. Renewable energy sources can be replenished in a short period of time and is considered to be practically inexhaustible. Though there are some issues that we cannot seem to overcome, most of them are technically impossible, not intrinsically impossible. We must constantly endeavor to create a sustainable world to secure our future and our posterity without compromising the environment. Replacing non-renewable energy with renewable energy is definitely a right choice for us. All we need is “DETERMINATION”.
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