Generating Electricity

Question 0

State some disadvantages of generating electricity using fossil fuels and nuclear power

Answer 0

• Very expensive to build
• The sulphur and nitrogen impurities in fossil fuels produce sulphur dioxide and oxides of nitrogen which make acid rain
• Coal mining and oil or gas extraction have large effects on the environment
• Fossil fuel power stations produce large amounts of CO2, contributing to the green house effect
• The small amount of waste produced by nuclear power stations is highly radioactive and requires very expensive, secure storage
• Large scale fossil fuel power stations require good rail or sea links to bring large amounts of fuel to the powerstation

Question 1

State some advantages of generating electricity using fossil fuels and nuclear power

Answer 1

• Cheaper cost of electricity
• Can be generated on a large scale
• Uninterrupted supply
• Can be built anywhere (with good access to fuel source- fossil fuels)
• Nuclear power stations do not release any CO2
• Nuclear power stations do not produce SO2 and so does. it contribute to acid rain
• Nuclear power stations use very small amounts of fuel to produce very large amounts of electricity