What is it?
Nuclear energy produces electricity through nuclear fission, the splitting of uranium atoms within a reactor core. As the uranium nucleus splits, it releases significant heat energy to create high-pressure steam, which drives turbines to generate electricity. Because the power generation process involves no fossil fuel combustion, nuclear energy delivers commercial-scale electricity with zero direct carbon emissions.
Generation & Environmental Impact
Uranium ore is processed into enriched fuel pellets and arranged into submerged fuel assemblies inside a reactor. Neutrons strike the uranium nuclei to initiate a controlled chain reaction, releasing heat continuously.
- Zero-Carbon Emissions: Produces no direct greenhouse gas or air pollutant emissions during power generation, giving it one of the lowest life-cycle carbon footprints of any electricity-generating technology.
- Continuous: Operates as a foundational baseload energy source, running around the clock regardless of weather conditions or time of day.
- High Energy Density: Yields vast amounts of electricity from small quantities of processed uranium fuel, maximizing energy output per acre of land footprint.
Fitting Into the Energy Mix
Nuclear energy serves as the backbone of Maryland’s clean power grid. The state’s nuclear output is centered at the Calvert Cliffs Nuclear Power Plant in Lusby, Maryland. Featuring two operational reactors with a combined capacity of approximately 1,790 megawatts (MW), Calvert Cliffs is the largest single source of in-state electricity generation. Providing around-the-clock power to hundreds of thousands of Maryland homes and businesses. Nuclear energy remains essential to meeting the state’s clean energy goals and helps maintain grid stability.