Power plants are an essential part of every person's life, as they convert the energy of natural resources into electricity. One station is a whole complex of activities, artificial and natural subsystems that serve to convert and distribute all types of energy sources. The whole process can be divided into several stages:
- The process of extracting and processing a primary energy source.
- Delivery to the power plant.
- The process of converting primary energy into secondary energy.
- Distribution of secondary (electrical or thermal) energy between consumers.
Electricity includes the production of energy at the station and its subsequent delivery through power lines. Such critical elements of this chain as power plants differ in the type of primary sources that are available in a given region.
Let's consider some types of transformation processes in more detail, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each of them.
Thermal power plants (TPP) belong to the group of traditional energy and occupy a significant share of generationelectricity on a global scale (approximately 40%). The advantages and disadvantages of TPP are shown in the following table:
| Dignity | Flaws |
| Low fuel cost | High degree of pollution |
| Relatively small capex | Significant cost of running plants |
| Free placement. Not tied to any specific area | |
| Low cost of energy | |
| Small placement area |
Hydroelectric power plants (HPPs) use water resources, such as reservoirs and rivers, as their primary source of energy. The advantages and disadvantages of HPPs are also summarized in the table.
| Dignity | Flaws |
| No resource extraction and transportation required | Alienation of fertile lands. Waterlogging |
| Sustainable | Disturbance of aquatic ecosystems |
| Regulation of water flows | Large accommodation areas |
| High reliability | |
| Ease of maintenance | |
| Low value | |
| Possible additionaluse of natural resource |
Nuclear power plants (NPP) - a set of installations and activities designed to convert the energy released as a result of the fission of atomic nuclei into thermal, and then into electrical energy. The most important element of this system is a nuclear reactor, as well as a complex of related devices. The table below shows the advantages and disadvantages of nuclear power plants.
| Dignity | Flaws |
| Low emissions | Radiation Hazard |
| Low fuel usage | Cannot adjust output power |
| High power output | Low probability of an accident, but very severe global consequences |
| Low cost of energy | Significant capital investment |
An equally important stage is the transportation of fuel resources to the power plant. This process can be carried out in several ways, each with its own advantages and disadvantages. Consider the main modes of transportation:
- Water transport. Delivery is carried out using tankers and bunkers.
- Road transport. Transportation is carried out in tanks. Ability to transport only liquid or gaseous fuelsdefines the existing advantages and disadvantages of road transport.
- Railway transport. Delivery in tanks and open wagons over long distances.
- Aerial ropeways and conveyor belts are rarely used and only for very short distances.
