In this article we will see the advantages and disadvantages of the best known energy sources in the world
Advantages and disadvantages of energy sources
biomass
- This fuel is cheap and uses the things that we would otherwise throw away.
- There will always be waste. This will not be exhausted.
- When the fuel is burned, greenhouse gases are released that pollute the environment.
- Sometimes the biomass crops grow where we can grow better food.
We do not have enough space to grow enough biomass.
Solar energy
- The energy of the sun is free.
- The sun does not produce greenhouse gases.
- The sun will always be there.
- It is relatively expensive to build solar power plants.
- When it is cloudy or at night there is not enough light, so you can not generate electricity.
Tidal energy
- Tides are free and will never run out. The only cost is the construction and maintenance of the plant.
- Tidal energy generation does not produce greenhouse gases.
- We know exactly when there are tides, so we know when and how much electricity will be generated.
- It may be necessary to build a dam to direct the flow of water through the generators. This may not be good for the plants and animals that live in the neighborhood.
- We only have tides twice a day, so electricity can only be produced during these periods.
Geothermal heat
- Geothermal energy does not produce greenhouse gases.
- The source of energy is free and will not be exhausted.
- There are not many places where we can build geothermal power plants.
- Harmful gases and minerals can occasionally rise from below the ground. This is difficult to verify.
hydroelectricity
- No greenhouse gases are emitted in a hydroelectric power station.
- The water used is free.
- It is a renewable energy source.
- It is expensive to build a dam.
- The dam and the reservoir change the biotopes in the area and this can have a great impact on the wildlife and the original plants.
- If it does not rain enough, there is not enough water to run the turbines sufficiently powerful.
Wave energy
- The waves are free and will never run out. The only cost is the construction and maintenance of the plant.
- The energy of the waves does not produce greenhouse gases.
- There are very few safety risks associated with the wave power plant.
- The waves can be too big or too small, so people can not always generate electricity with this.
- Electricity must be transported from the sea to the earth.
- There has not been much attempt to generate electricity in this way, which makes the installation very expensive.
Wind power
- The wind is free and will not run out. The only cost is the construction and maintenance of the wind turbine.
- Wind energy has no emissions of greenhouse gases.
- There are very few safety risks with wind turbines.
- Wind turbines are only profitable in windy areas. On days with little or no wind, they do not provide energy.
- We need a lot of turbines to produce a lot of electricity.
Carbon
- Coal can be found in many parts of the world and there are still a lot of mines to be exploited.
- The coal can be easily transported to power plants.
- Coal is a relatively cheap source of energy.
- The coal is mined in the mines. Working in the mines is often dangerous and unhealthy.
- The transport of coal by truck and train from the mine to the plant causes contamination.
- Burning coals produce polluting gases such as sulfur dioxide, which produce acid rain.
- Of all the energy sources, the burning of coal brings most of the greenhouse gases that can add to global warming.
- Coal is a non-renewable energy source and will run out in about 100 years.
- The miners get lungs of lung dust and emphysema if they breathe too much coal dust.
Nuclear energy
- Nuclear fuel does not emit harmful greenhouse gases.
- You only need a very small amount of nuclear fuel to produce a lot of energy.
- The waste produced from the use of nuclear fuel is still radioactive and very harmful for thousands of years.
- Nuclear power plants pose a risk of terrorist attacks and sabotage.
- The stock of uranium in the world will be exhausted in 50 years.
Oil and natural gas
- Oil and natural gas can be found in many places in the world.
- We can transport oil and gas in oil pipelines and in tanks or ships.
- The environmental damage can be caused by the drilling and pumping of oil and oil spills during transport.
- Oil and gas are not renewable, so they will one day be exhausted.
- The burning of oil and natural gas brings greenhouse gases into the air. This contributes to global warming.
- The price of oil and gas will increase because stocks are depleted and many people use it.
- Working in an oil or gas extraction facility can be dangerous due to the risk of explosions.