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Comparison of Various Power Plants
A power plant converts one form of energy (for example, hydro, thermal, nuclear, etc.) to electrical energy. We can broadly classify the power plants as follows −
Thermal Power Plant
Hydroelectric Power Plant
Nuclear Power Plant
Diesel Power Plant
In addition, there can be other types of power plants such as Solar Power Plant and Wind Power Plant, but these type of power plants are so far insignificant in terms of capacity and utilization.
In this article, we will compare and contrast the different attributes of thermal, hydroelectric, nuclear, and diesel power plants
Thermal Power Plant
A Thermal Power Plant is a generating station which converts heat energy of coal combustion into electrical energy.
Site - Thermal power plants are located at a place where large amount of water and coal is available.
Source of Energy - Coal is used as the main source of energy, which has limited reserves in the nature.
Initial Cost - Initial cost is low.
Running Cost - Higher than that of the hydroelectric and nuclear power plants because it requires a large amount of coal.
Cleanliness - Less clean as smoke and fumes are produced.
Fuel Transportation Cost - Fuel transportation cost is maximum because large amount of coal is transported to the plant.
Hydroelectric Power Plant
A Hydroelectric Power Plant is a generating station which converts the potential energy of water at high level into electrical energy.
Site - Hydroelectric power plants are located in hilly areas, where a large reservoir can be obtained by constructing a dam.
Source of Energy - Water is the main source of energy which depends upon the rainfall.
Initial Cost - Initial cost is very high because it requires construction of dam and excavation work.
Running Cost - Lowest because no fuel is required.
Cleanliness - Most clean; it does not create any pollution.
Fuel Transportation Cost - Not applicable.
Nuclear Power Plant
A Nuclear Power Plant is a generating station which converts nuclear energy of radioactive substance into electrical energy.
Site - Nuclear power plants are located quite away from the populated areas to avoid radioactive pollution.
Source of Energy - Radioactive materials are the main source of energy and these are available in sufficient quantity because a small amount of nuclear material can produce huge power.
Initial Cost - Initial cost is highest since it requires a huge investment on building a nuclear reactor.
Running Cost - Lower than other power plants (except hydroelectric power plant) because a small amount of nuclear fuel can produce huge power.
Cleanliness - Less clean than hydroelectric and diesel power plants.
Fuel Transportation Cost - Minimum because small amount of nuclear fuel is required.
Diesel Power Plant
A Diesel Power Plant is a power station which converts chemical energy of diesel into electrical energy.
Site - Diesel power plants can be located at any place because they require less space and small quantity of water for the generation of power.
Source of Energy - Diesel oil is the main source of energy which has limited reserves.
Initial Cost - Initial cost is lowest as compared to all other power plants.
Running Cost - Highest among all plants due to high price of diesel.
Cleanliness - More clean than steam and nuclear power plants.
Fuel Transportation Cost - Higher than hydroelectric and nuclear power plants.
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