Nuclear power can help combat climate change - Polish expert
Belarus is actively moving towards the development of nuclear energy. The first power unit of Belarusian NPP is planned to be included in the unified energy system of the country this year. Nuclear power not only contributes to ensuring energy security, but can also help combat climate change - this is the opinion of Leon Fux, senior researcher of Warsaw Institute of Nuclear Chemistry and Technology. Polish expert told in an interview to BelTA about the prospects of this industry in the world and what application the peaceful atom finds in medicine and art.
- Nuclear power is one of the most effective methods of preventing climate change. It consumes less fuel and energy resources, but most importantly, it gives less waste. Nuclear power plants, coming to replace the thermal, can significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions into the atmosphere, and thus improve air quality. Nuclear power can be a great help in combating climate change.
- Poland is now preparing to build its own nuclear power plant. What is the attitude of the public in your country to the development of nuclear energy?
- There are statistics, according to which about 60% of Poles support the presence of nuclear power in the country. But if we examine this issue in detail, in a regional context, it turns out that there are areas where opponents of nuclear energy dominate, while in other regions its development is supported by an absolute majority.
- How can the experience of Belarus in the construction of nuclear power plants be useful to Poland and other countries?
- Of course, we are carefully studying international experience in nuclear energy issues. It should be borne in mind that Belarusian NPP is being built according to Russian project, and the nuclear power plant in Poland will be built according to the western model. However, there are common questions.
I should note that we have established active cooperation with Belarus. I have several joint research papers with Belarusian colleagues. I spoke at the 19th International Scientific Conference "Sakharov Readings 2019: Environmental Problems of the 21st Century" at A. Sakharov International State Ecological Institute, BSU on the disposal of radioactive waste, to share my experiences and the results of research. And we don’t stop at that: we are planning an exchange of students and research assistants on the European Erasmus + program.
- How has the nuclear power industry changed since the times of major accidents that occurred at Chernobyl and Fukushima nuclear power plants?
- Over time, any industry undergoes certain changes. People analyze past accidents, draw conclusions and try to change something in order to avoid adverse effects on the environment. Technologies have been significantly improved and become safer, and this applies not only to nuclear energy, but also to all spheres of human activity.
Nuclear power is an economically efficient direction, which is the reason for its active development. However, people, of course, are concerned about security issues, because we draw conclusions from our experience and find solutions that prevent such negative consequences in the future.
- How do you see the prospects for the development of nuclear energy?
- I think nuclear energy and related technologies will be intensively developed in the future. However, I do not think that it will force out other sources of energy. Nuclear energy should work in conjunction with renewable energy, including wind and hydropower.
- In which areas, besides the energy sector, does the peaceful atom benefit today?
- There are many areas in our life that use the peaceful atom. Nuclear medicine is very effective. There are a number of diseases that cannot be cured in other ways. Radioisotopes are used in the diagnosis and treatment of tumors and the detection of other diseases.
The peaceful atom is also widely used in industry. Some devices basically have sources of radiation, for example, devices for determining the density of materials, the concentration of certain liquids. Even in the room where we are talking, there are two sources of such radiation — autonomous fire detectors. These smoke detectors contain a small amount of americium and plutonium. In fact, these heavy metals are radioactive, but in such small quantities as in these devices, they are completely safe.
The peaceful atom, surprisingly, is also used in such unexpected areas as history, culture. The exposure to paper or glass by radioactive radiation determines the authenticity of a work of art, the time it was created, etc. We carried out this kind of research at our institute, studied icons and glass. The radioisotope method in connection with its capabilities is very useful for archeology and geology.
Valeria GAVRILOVA
