Currently, nuclear energy is not considered a renewable source. This is because the main ingredient for nuclear power is uranium, and there is a finite amount available. While there is no way to renew uranium, it is possible to extend fuel supplies for nuclear energy by creating plutonium from uranium. This process is also the process in which nuclear bombs are made. Although this produces a great supply of nuclear energy, the dangers presented to nations which use this method are extremely frowned upon by the international community.

However, using special breeder reactors and Uranium235, it is possible to artificially produce nuclear power in a breeder reactor. In this case, nuclear power could be considered semi-renewable, until all of the breeder materials has been used. Though this method is uncommon and very unstable, it has been used before. However, it is not the standard with nuclear energy, therefore it is implausible to call nuclear energy a renewable energy source.

Because the current methods of obtaining nuclear energy involve using enriched uranium and there is a finite source on earth, nuclear energy will remain a non-renewable source, even with the ability to breed more uranium from plutonium or U238 or U233. The problem with this, is there are finite amounts of these substances too, and when they run out, what is left is a very volatile nuclear waste which must be disposed of properly. This waste is a severe by-product of nuclear fission which makes nuclear energy that much more of a problem, as true renewable energy sources like wind and water do not produce bio-hazardous waste.

In the future, with new technology revolving around nuclear fusion, it may be possible to use the deuterium which is contained in the oceans for energy. This source is not renewable, however the amount contained on earth is probably infinite when compared to the expected lifespan of the human race. This deuterium is a direct product of the sun hitting the ocean’s waves and the question of whether or not it is renewable falls into the category of whether or not the sun’s energy is renewable.

While nuclear fusion is still highly untested in the world of power production, if measures are not taken to reduce our dependence on oil and other non-renewable resources like coal, then options like relying on nuclear power to supply the world with electricity could be the future.

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