5.6 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Methods of Energy Production

5.6 The Advantages and Disadvantages of Methods of Energy Production

The production of hydroelectric power is more economical and pollution free. Solar power, wind, tidal, and wave power need more initial cost, but they do not produce pollution and are also economical.

On the other hand, power generation by fossil fuels and nuclear fuel adds to the pollution of the environment. Burning of fossil fuels produces smoke, carbon dioxide gas, and heat. They enhance direct pollution to the atmosphere.

Windmills are very noisy. Some people think that wind turbines spoil the beauty of the landscape.

Nuclear power generators are also run by steam produced by nuclear heat energy. Heat itself is a form of pollution. Moreover, there is always danger of leakage of radioactive radiation, which is harmful to living bodies. People living around nuclear plants are always at risk. The disposal of nuclear waste is another problem for nuclear power generation. However, any form of waste energy ends up as thermal energy that goes to the environment. Thus, thermal pollution is increasing day by day, causing global warming.

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Do You Know? Burning fossil fuels release five billion tonnes of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere every year.

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For Your Information! The radioactive fallout from the 1986 Chernobyl nuclear accident in Russia affected people, livestock, and crops. Although only 31 people died from direct exposure, about 600,000 people were significantly exposed to the fallout.