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Largely history I think, fossil fuels started to be used for electricity from 1880 onwards, whereas nuclear didn't start until the late 1950's and at first it was semi-military in its origin, true commercial exploitation didn't start until the 1960's. Then it turned out to be rather more expensive to build nuclear plants than first thought, and the Three Mile Island incident discouraged power companies from investing in nuclear, whilst the availability of natural gas and the cheapness of plants to use it encouraged that fuel to take up the extra load demand, both in the US and Europe. In France the opposite happened, without their own source of natural gas, the French decided that nuclear was the route for them and now have about 75 percent nuclear, so one can conclude that given the right circumstances nuclear can become predominant. This is probably helped by having a nationalised electricity body since Government can take economic risks which companies owned by shareholders may avoid. This also applied in the UK, the AGR reactors would certainly not have been proceeded with after early setbacks unless the CEGB had been the body buying them, and as soon as the industry was privatised and broken into smaller units (by the Thatcher government) nuclear orders ceased. Ironically, now that nuclear plants are again required in the UK, only the French or possibly US industry can supply them.

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Compare a power plant that burns fossil fuels with a nuclear power plant?

Power plants that burn fossil fuels and nuclear power plants are very similar in their manner of creating steam. The main difference between the two types of power plants are that fossil fuel plants emit more pollution.


How is nuclear power better than fossil fuels?

because fossil fules will run out eventually and when it does the world will explode and we will all die so you better panic because you are all going to die soon and if you dont panic you will die quicker.


How much nuclear energy does the UK use in a year?

As of 2011, the UK produces about 19% of its power (roughly 10 GW) via nuclear means. Using the above metric that nuclear plants produce about 10 GigaWatts, that means the total yearly energy production of the those plants is about 87,600 GigaWatt-hours, or 315.36 TeraJoules.


What does chernobyl and 3 mile islands have in common?

Both Chernobyl and Three Mile Island are well-known nuclear disasters that caused widespread environmental and health impacts. Both incidents resulted in the release of radioactive materials into the environment and raised concerns about nuclear safety and regulation. Additionally, they both led to significant changes in the nuclear industry and a reassessment of nuclear power plants' safety measures.


Should India opt for Nuclear Energy?

Nuclear power is one of the fastest growing power-generation industries in India. As of 2008, India has 17 nuclear power plants in operation generating 4,120 MW while 6 other are under construction and are expected to generate an additional 3,160 MW.[1] The Nuclear Power Corporation of India plans to generate 20,000 MW of power by 2020.[2] Currently, India stands 9th in the world in terms of number of nuclear power reactors.

Related Questions

are nuclear power plants more cost effective cheaper than fossil fuels?

Levelized cost of kwh from a nuclear power plant is cheaper than from any fossil fueled power plants.


Compare a power plant that burns fossil fuels with a nuclear power plant?

Power plants that burn fossil fuels and nuclear power plants are very similar in their manner of creating steam. The main difference between the two types of power plants are that fossil fuel plants emit more pollution.


What fossil fuels are used in power plants?

All fossil fuels (coal, oil and natural gas) are used in power plants.


Is it true that coal and natural gas are the main fossil fuels used in nuclear power stations?

Fossil fuels are not used in nuclear power stations. Nuclear fuel is used (uranium)


What advantage does nuclear have over fossil fuels?

Nuclear power plants do not produce greenhouse gas emissions during operation, unlike fossil fuel power plants. Nuclear power is also a more space-efficient way of generating electricity compared to fossil fuels, as nuclear plants require less land for the same amount of energy produced. Additionally, nuclear energy is more reliable and has lower fuel costs in the long run.


Does Nuclear Power save energy?

Nuclear power plants generate electricity without burning fossil fuels, so do not release CO2, which causes climate change.


What is the largest source of man made mercury in the environment?

power plants fueled by fossil fuels


Nuclear power plants can produce energy more cheaply and with less pollution them plants that use fossil fuels why are there not more nuclear power plants dad plants that burn fossil fuels?

There are several reasons for the limited growth of nuclear power compared to fossil fuel plants. One reason is the high cost of building and decommissioning nuclear facilities. Concerns about nuclear accidents and waste disposal also contribute to the reluctance to expand nuclear power. Additionally, the time it takes to build a nuclear plant and the availability of alternative energy sources play a role in the decision-making process.


What do power plant generators run on?

The vast majority run on fossil fuels. There are also nuclear, wind, hydro power stations or plants. In some places there are geothermal power plants.


What are three advantages of nuclear power plants compared with power plants that burn fossil fuels?

Lower greenhouse gas emissions: Nuclear power plants produce minimal greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuel power plants, helping to mitigate climate change. Reliable power generation: Nuclear power plants have a high capacity factor and can operate continuously for long periods, providing a stable source of electricity. Reduced dependency on fuel imports: Nuclear power plants do not rely on imported fossil fuels, which can enhance energy security and reduce vulnerability to supply disruptions.


Why should you build more nuclear power plants for electricity?

Building more nuclear power plants can help diversify the energy mix and reduce reliance on fossil fuels, which can lower greenhouse gas emissions. Nuclear power also provides a reliable source of electricity with low operating costs once the plants are built. Additionally, nuclear power plants can help meet the increasing global energy demand without contributing to air pollution.


Is nuclear power a fossil fuel?

No, nuclear power is not a fossil fuel. Fossil fuels are formed from the remains of living organisms over millions of years, while nuclear power is generated by splitting atoms in a process called nuclear fission.