Comparison with other methods of energy production

Nuclear energy
Advantages Disadvantages
  • Does not pollute the environment with CO2 emissions;
  • A nuclear power plant is usually operated at the base load mode; hence, there is a high utilization factor of installed capacity, production costs per kilowatt hour are relatively lower than in the power plants of other types;
  • Fuel constituent amounts to a small part of electricity price;
  • There are sufficient fuel resources located in politically stable countries; Moreover, it is possible to build up fuel reserves for a longer period;
  • Scientific progress is promoted;
  • Relatively small quantities of waste;
  • Low operation costs;
  • It is possible to produce both – electricity and thermal energy.
  • Initial investments are high;
  • Resources for long-term management of radioactive waste are needed.
Coal
Advantages Disadvantages
  • Resources are sufficient. Coal is the primary energy source which is most extensively used for production of electricity worldwide;
  • High utilization factor of installed capacity;
  • Initial investments are lower than for NPP;
  • Possibility to produce both – electricity and thermal energy.
  • Pollutes the environment, strongly contributes to acid rains and global warming;
  • A well-developed transport system, high transportation costs are needed;
  • Practically, there is no possibility to build up sufficient resources for a longer period;
  • High quality and expensive treatment equipment is needed to avoid emissions of hard particles and acid gases into the environment.
Gas / oil
Advantages Disadvantages
  • Well-developed supply infrastructure (according to the existing consumption levels);
  • Variety of technological solutions, convenience for consumers;
  • Possibility to produce both – electricity and thermal energy.
  • Limited resources;
  • Contributes to the global warming;
  • Recently has become too expensive for electricity production;
  • High price fluctuations.
Hydro power
Advantages Disadvantages
  • A renewable energy resource, does not pollute the environment;
  • Low operation costs;
  • Effective and reliable production.
  • Depends on weather conditions, possible shortages during a dry year;
  • High initial investments are needed;
  • Dams destroy or obstruct migratory routes for fish (e.g. salmon);
  • Vast territories need to be flooded for their operation, damaging the landscape and making a negative impact on biodiversity.
Wind energy
Advantages Disadvantages
  • A renewable energy resource, causes no pollution of the environment;
  • Low operation costs.
  • Depends on weather conditions (wind), low utilization factor of installed capacity;
  • High initial investments are needed;
  • Capacity of generators is relatively small, therefore, a big quantity of them is needed;
  • Sufficient capacity reserves are required to compensate instability of wind energy output, and this can significantly influence the end-users’ electricity price;
  • Changes the visual landscape and a coast;
  • Possible harm to endangered bird species.
Bio-fuel
Advantages Disadvantages
  • A renewable energy resource;
  • It is possible to combine production of electricity and thermal energy.
  • Contributes to the global warming;
  • Uses the same resources as paper industry;
  • Large investments (higher than investments in power plants burning fossil fuel, but lower than in nuclear power plants, wind parks or hydro power plants);
  • Inefficient if small power plants are used;
  • High operation costs;
  • High quality treatment equipment is needed to avoid emissions of pollutants into the environment.
Solar energy
Advantages Disadvantages
  • A renewable energy resource, does not pollute the environment;
  • Low operation costs.
  • It is only efficient in the countries with many sunny days;
  • Special materials are used for production which may damage the environment;
  • Existing technologies require big plots of land even if small quantities of electricity are to be produced.