Nuclear Power VS Fossil Fuel (Part 1)

This post will explain briefly the advantages and disadvantages of fossil fuel as the main current energy source today and nuclear power as the potential alternative energy in the future.

What is Fossil Fuel? How it generates power?

Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons that are formed from the remains of dead plants and animals. Examples of fossil fuels are coal, fuel oil and natural gas. Fossil fuels, primarily coal are by far the largest source of electricity in the world today. In fossil fuel power plant, power generated from burning the fossil fuel to generate heat, and then the heat will be used to generate steam. This steam drives turbines, which powers generators to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy.

What is the advantage of using Fossil Fuel?

A major advantage of fossil fuels is their capacity to generate huge amounts of electricity in just a single location.

• Fossil fuels are very easy to find. 
• When coal is used in power plants, they are very cost effective. Coal is also in abundant supply. 
• Transporting oil and gas to the power stations can be made through the use of pipes making it an easy task. 
• Power plants that utilize gas are very efficient. 
• Power stations that make use of fossil fuel can be constructed in almost any location. This is possible as long as large quantities of fuel can be easily brought to the power plants. 

What are the disadvantages of using Fossil Fuels?

• Pollution is a major disadvantage of fossil fuels. This is because they give off carbon dioxide when burned thereby causing a greenhouse effect. This is also the main contributory factor to the global warming experienced by the earth today.
• Coal also produces carbon dioxide when burned compared to burning oil or gas. Additionally, it gives off sulphur dioxide, a kind of gas that creates acid rain.
• Environmentally, the mining of coal results in the destruction of wide areas of land. Mining this fossil fuel is also difficult and may endanger the lives of miners. Coal mining is considered one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.
• Power stations that utilize coal need large amounts of fuel. In other words, they not only need truckloads but trainloads of coal on a regular basis to continue operating and generating electricity. This only means that coal-fired power plants should have reserves of coal in a large area near the plant’s location.
• Use of natural gas can cause unpleasant odors and some problems especially with transportation.
• Use of crude oil causes pollution and poses environmental hazards such as oil spills when oil tankers, for instance, experience leaks or drown deep under the sea. Crude oil contains toxic chemicals which cause air pollutants when combusted. 
• Fossil fuel sources are gradually depleting, thus it might lead to shortage of energy in the future.

Source/Reference: http://www.ecology.com, http://thegreenstep.com