Comparing Power Stations (WJEC GCSE Physics: Combined Science)

• Different types of power stations each have advantages and disadvantages
• Having a range of energy technologies allows the benefits to be maximised and the disadvantages to be minimised

• Issues to consider when comparing types of power station:
  • Costs
  • Efficiency
  • Reliability
  • Carbon footprint
  • Output

• The costs involved in a power station include:

• • Commissioning costs
    • Buying land to build on
    • Professional fees (such as architects, legal work, planning & permits)
    • Building costs (such as materials)
    • Labour costs (such as builders, electricians, plumbers etc)

• • Running costs
    • Labour (staff)
    • Fuel 
    • Waste disposal 
    • Maintenance
  • Decommissioning costs
    • Removal of nuclear fuel (for nuclear power stations)
    • Demolition
    • Clean up

• The reliability of a power station considers:
  • How quickly and easily it can be switched on and off
  • Ability to produce electricity consistently 
  • Ability to respond to changes in demand
  • Quick recovery time from disruptions

• The carbon footprint of each type of power station considers:
  • Amount of carbon released whilst in operation
  • Amount of carbon produced in manufacturing the components used in construction
  • Amount of carbon produced in transport of fuels and materials

 

Comparison of Different Types of Power Stations

Costs	Coal power station	Wind farm	Nuclear power station	Solar farm	Tidal barrage
Commissioning cost	High	Low	Very High	Very low	Low
Running cost	High	Very low	High	Very low	Very low
Decommissioning cost	High	Low	Very High	Very low	Very low
Average time for construction	5 years	6 years	7 years	3 months	10 years
Average efficiency	32%	50%	35%	20%	80%
Reliability	Very high	Low	Very high	Low	High
Carbon footprint	Very high	Low	Low	Very low	Low
Average power output	500 MW	3 MW	1 GW	5 MW	16 kW