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There are at least 600 coal fired power plants in the US, providing 31.2% of U.S. electric capacity (as of 2005).
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∙ 12y ago100
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Is nuclear energy a suitable alternative to fossil fuels?
Many people think nuclear is a suitable alternative. Nuclear energy is clean, with no carbon dioxide pollution, so it does not add to global warming the way that burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) does. However, nuclear power has its dangers too. Accidents at power plants can be deadly, and there is no easy way yet to dispose of nuclear waste.
How many people have died due to accidents and pollution from nuclear power plants compared to how many have died due to accidents and pollution from coal power plants?
There technically is no "pollution" from nuclear power, the only by product is steam. The transport and storage of spent nuclear fuel is extremely secure and safe. The only time we are in danger of nuclear radiation are if the reactor vessels that house the nuclear rods are damaged or melt....which is extremely rare and only happens with a massive failure in the chain of events that govern and sustain the supply (in theory, a deliberate attack on a power plant would also cause a spill, too. Yet, so far, that hasn't happened). In the end, thousands of people die every year from the burning of fossil fuels, where as virtually nobody dies from the use of nuclear power. Over 85 of France's power usage comes from nuclear power, after all.
What do these energy sources have in common and how do they differ from fossil fuels?
Answer: Many natural resources are of energy. People use energy not only from fossil fuels, but also from the wind and the sun. Dams produce hydroelectric power by harnessing the power of falling water.
What is an environmental consequences of nuclear energy?
Short answer: Contamination is a risk. Also, if you factor in all the work required to set nuclear energy into motion, you will see that it also contributes to adding carbon to the atmosphere. Nuclear energy is not carbon-free as many believe. Mining and extraction costs carbon in fossil fuel; transportation costs carbon in fossil fuel; processing costs carbon in fossil fuel; building the nuclear power station costs carbon in fossil fuel. Then there's the question of highly radioactive waste storage for hundreds of thousands of years, leaks into the environment, coastal flooding of nuclear power stations like Sizewell. And the question of the added energy from splitting atoms which is extra to solar radiation and thus adds to the net energy input to the planet [an issue never even addressed]. It takes at least ten years to build a nuclear station so no quick fix, and decommissioning is even longer. It also costs billions, a price no government could hope to get taxpayers to pay, yet private industry won't fork out that sort of money. It's a pipe dream, something to use against those who argue renewable power is the only way to go. It is true that nuclear energy is not purely carbonless. However, once you factor in the production and transportation costs, neither are solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal, or hydroelectric power. One aspect that all of these energy sources, including nuclear, has in common are that once they are functioning they are emitting less CO2 into our atmosphere than coal and oil. Regardless of your feelings about coal and oil, they are not found on the earth in limitless supply, so therefore we as a society need to begin developing more renewable energy. Obviously there will be environmental impact of mining the uranium (or another element thorium) that will be used to fuel the power plant. Uranium mines are under very strict guidelines that will help to prevent the surrounding mining area from any overly adverse affects (probably no more than what the uranium was doing naturally). Furthermore, nuclear power plants emit less radiation to the surrounding areas than coal fire power plants because the nuclear power plants are built more durably. The radioactive waste is a concern because right now our federal government will not allow this waste to be refurbished to be used again in a nuclear reactor like France does. Right now each power plant maintains their own waste. Decommissioning nuclear power plants is expensive but this is necessary in order to protect the environment . Overall, nuclear is one of many, not the only, solutions that our country needs to progress towards.
What is an environmental consequence of nuclear?
Short answer: Contamination is a risk. Also, if you factor in all the work required to set nuclear energy into motion, you will see that it also contributes to adding carbon to the atmosphere. Nuclear energy is not carbon-free as many believe. Mining and extraction costs carbon in fossil fuel; transportation costs carbon in fossil fuel; processing costs carbon in fossil fuel; building the nuclear power station costs carbon in fossil fuel. Then there's the question of highly radioactive waste storage for hundreds of thousands of years, leaks into the environment, coastal flooding of nuclear power stations like Sizewell. And the question of the added energy from splitting atoms which is extra to solar radiation and thus adds to the net energy input to the planet [an issue never even addressed]. It takes at least ten years to build a nuclear station so no quick fix, and decommissioning is even longer. It also costs billions, a price no government could hope to get taxpayers to pay, yet private industry won't fork out that sort of money. It's a pipe dream, something to use against those who argue renewable power is the only way to go. It is true that nuclear energy is not purely carbonless. However, once you factor in the production and transportation costs, neither are solar, wind, geothermal, biomass, tidal, or hydroelectric power. One aspect that all of these energy sources, including nuclear, has in common are that once they are functioning they are emitting less CO2 into our atmosphere than coal and oil. Regardless of your feelings about coal and oil, they are not found on the earth in limitless supply, so therefore we as a society need to begin developing more renewable energy. Obviously there will be environmental impact of mining the uranium (or another element thorium) that will be used to fuel the power plant. Uranium mines are under very strict guidelines that will help to prevent the surrounding mining area from any overly adverse affects (probably no more than what the uranium was doing naturally). Furthermore, nuclear power plants emit less radiation to the surrounding areas than coal fire power plants because the nuclear power plants are built more durably. The radioactive waste is a concern because right now our federal government will not allow this waste to be refurbished to be used again in a nuclear reactor like France does. Right now each power plant maintains their own waste. Decommissioning nuclear power plants is expensive but this is necessary in order to protect the environment . Overall, nuclear is one of many, not the only, solutions that our country needs to progress towards.
Where is wind power being used in the world right now?
In many factories and especially fossil fuel plants.
How many fossil fuel factories are there in America?
There are about 5,800 fossil fuel power stations in the US. (Information the the US Energy Commission).
What alternative energy?
Any alternative to fossil fuel,wind power,solar power,hydro power,ocean power(OTEC,wave,tidal),bio fuel,urine power,free energy,and many more
What are some advntages of using uranium to produce electeity?
Uranium is very important as a nuclear fuel for nuclear power plants. Nuclear power plants have no contribution to global warming. Also producing electricity in nuclear power plants lead to economy of fossil fuels; note many countries has not fossils fuels and the prices are more and more greater. But uranium is toxic and radioactive.
Is electricity non renewable or renewable?
Sources of energy are termed renewable and non-renewable. Electricity can come from many sources including power plants, wind farms, hydroelectric plants and solar panels. Power plants that burn fossil fuels are using non-renewable fuel sources, but energy from solar panels use renewable energy. A power plant can use biofuels, which are renewable.
Which renewable energy source can run a traditional car?
Biofuel is renewable.One kind of biofuel is alcohol made from plants, will power a regular car. Ethanol is used in many countries to either replace or add to fossil fuel gasoline.
Is oil a fossil fuel?
Oil is formed by the decomposition of fossilized plant and animal remains. This is why it is referred to as a fossil fuel. Other fossil fuels include coal and natural gas.
What fuel can electric power plants use as fuel?
The most common way power plants generate electricity is by burning coal. Some use"green" alternatives like solar power or wind power, but the most common is coal. There's a few out there that use nuclear power to generate electricity, but not that many.
Can you get fossil fuels by growing crops?
No, it takes thousands to many millions of years of burial underground for organic material to transform into a fossil fuel form. You can use some crops (e.g. oil seeds) to replace some fossil fuel, but they are not fossil fuel.
Are car gases made up of fossil fuels?
It may depend on what fuel the car is using. There are many kinds of that fuel. There are biofuels like ethanol and fossil fuels. Scientists are trying to make a better fuel like wind power, solar energy, and geothermal energy because they are environmental friendly
How long is a coal power plant last?
Because coal is the most abundant fossil fuel in the world, a coal power plant can last for many, many years to come. It is also a cheaper fuel, which makes it more reliable than petroleum or natural gas.
How does the burning of fossil fuels impact the carbon cycle?
Power plants burning fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) add to global warming. Global warming puts more heat (energy) into the atmosphere. This will probably mean a wetter atmosphere and increased precipitation.
