Pros And Cons Of Thermal Power

Thermal power plants aim to convert heated water into steam with the aid of prime movers. The primary method of converting water into steam would comprise of burning fossil fuels such as coal, oil and diesel. The prime movers required for this process are driven by turbines or electric generators. Coal and other fossil fuels are one of the easiest and the most essential forms of energy for mankind. Thermal power plants condense the steam and convert it to the heat energy that drives turbines and generates electricity. The purpose of these thermal power plants is to deliver heat energy for industrial purposes, desalination of waters and to provide electricity to whole districts. Considered to be conventional energy, thermal power coming from fossil fuels is the most common energy form on earth. Though it is considered harmful to the environment on the whole, the benefits like easy transportation and availability of sources make thermal power an instant hit among people. Read on to know more on the pros and cons of different sources of thermal power.

Thermal Power Plants

Energy From Fossil Fuels

As the demand for electricity and power soars around the world, fossil fuels are one of the easiest sources and choices of energy. One of the most important and commonly used energy sources, fossil fuels are diminishing in supply and are also debated on, by various environmental groups.

Pros

Fossil fuels are arguably the easiest sources of energy that can be found under the earth’s crust. As popular sources of power, fossil fuels generate highly usable energy for industrial and domestic purposes and are accessible to the world at large. In spite of having such high demands, fossil fuels are extremely stable in comparison to other sources of energy.
Fossil fuels can also be easily transported from one place to another. Coal is one such example although it is necessary for the thermal stations to be located close to coal mines; oil and gas are also easily transported by state-of-the-art pipelines.
Fossil fuel energy industries help in generating loads of employment opportunities for all sections of society. This is probably one of the major advantages that cannot be ignored.
The technology used to harness fossil fuel energy is usually well-developed and up-to-date. The prime reason being that fossil fuels are the most common sources of energy used by mankind for centuries now.
With the abundant supply of these sources and their regular usage, coal, oil and gas are relatively cheaper than other fuel sources and are also relatively easier to obtain as compared to other sources of energy.

Cons

Pollution. One of the biggest concerns related to using fossil fuels for electricity generation is the fact that it is extremely hazardous for the environment. Not only are natural ecosystems and landscapes destroyed in building power plants, the earth’s atmosphere is also filled with the hazardous chemicals and greenhouse gases that are emitted during the production of electricity with fossil fuels.
Apart from the hazards to the environment, thermal plants, set to generate electricity with fossil fuels, are extremely expensive.
There is an accelerated rate of depletion in non-renewable sources such as coal and oil and there won’t be much left for the generations to come.
Fossil fuels cannot be relied on. With the increase in depletion rates around the world, fossil fuels are not the only sources of energy that people should fall back on. With regular usage, these are now becoming hazardous sources of energy and are also becoming extremely expensive and scarce to find.
Fossil fuel plants are debated upon for their dangerous atmosphere. There is always a risk of life at plants that demand deep excavation and/or handling of non-renewable deposits such as coal and oil. Those working at these plants need to be extra cautious and have to be provided with adequate safety measures. Blasts, oil leaks, fire breakouts and the release of toxic gases can be fatal for those working at these plants and can also, in some cases, retard growth and life.
The waste disposal in plants that harness fossil fuels for energy is growing at a substantial rate. Some of these waste elements are dumped into the ocean or on land and can be extremely toxic for marine and other life, hindering the natural flow of ecosystems.

Electricity generation by thermal plants is extremely important, without which it would be impossible to run industrial processes and life in general. There are no good or bad sources of energy or thermal power processes. The energy released by fossil fuels has its own pros and cons that exist and are unavoidable in reality. Although environmental concerns have risen for thermal power generation, it still continues to be a prime source of electricity and energy generation.

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Pros And Cons Of Thermal Power

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