Power plants are an essential part of every person’s life, as they transform the energy of natural resources into electricity. One station is a whole complex of measures, artificial and natural subsystems, which serve to transform and distribute all types of energy sources. The whole process can be divided into several stages:
- The process of extraction and processing of the primary energy source.
- Delivery to the power plant.
- The process of converting primary energy to secondary.
- Distribution of secondary (electrical or thermal) energy between consumers.
Power industry includes the production of energy at the station and its subsequent delivery via power lines. The most important elements of this chain, such as power plants, differ in the type of primary sources that are available in this region.
Consider some types of conversion processes in more detail, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.
Thermal power plants (TPPs) belong to the group of traditional energy and occupy a significant share of global electricity generation (approximately 40%). Advantages and disadvantages of TPPs are given in the following table:
| Advantages | disadvantages |
Low cost of fuel consumed | High degree of environmental pollution |
Relatively small investment | Significant installation costs |
Free placement. Not linked to any specific area | |
Low cost of energy | |
| Small footprint | |
Hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) use water resources, such as reservoirs and rivers, as their primary source of energy. Advantages and disadvantages of hydropower plants are also summarized in the table.
| Advantages | disadvantages |
No resource extraction and transportation required | Alienation of fertile land. Waterlogging |
Environmental friendliness | Violation of aquatic ecosystems |
Water flow regulation | Large areas of accommodation |
High reliability | |
Ease of maintenance | |
Low cost | |
| Possible additional use of natural resources | |
Nuclear power plants (NPPs) - a set of installations and measures designed to convert energy that is released as a result of fission of atomic nuclei into thermal and then into electric energy. The most important element of this system is a nuclear reactor, as well as a set of related devices. The table below shows the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power plants.
| Advantages | disadvantages |
Low emissions | Radiation hazard |
Low fuel consumption | There is no way to control the output power |
High power output | Low probability of an accident, but very serious consequences worldwide |
| Low cost of energy | Significant capital investment |
An equally important step is the transportation of fuel resources to the power plant. This process can be carried out in several ways, each of which has its own advantages and disadvantages. Consider the main transportation methods:
- Water transport. Delivery is carried out by tankers and bunkers.
- Automobile transport. Transportation is carried out in tanks. The ability to transport only liquid or gaseous fuels determines the advantages and disadvantages of road transport.
- Railway transport. Delivery in tanks and open wagons over long distances.
- Aerial ropeways and conveyor belts are rarely used and only for very short distances.