Thermal power plant
|
Hydro electric plant
|
Gas power plant
|
Nuclear power plant
|
Located where water, coal and transportation facilities are adequate
|
Located where large reservoirs or dams can be created like in hilly areas
|
Located away from thickly populated area because of noisy operation.
|
Located in isolated areas away from population.
|
Initial cost is lower than hydro and nuclear.
|
Initial cost pretty high due to large dam construction.
|
Initial cost is the least.
|
Initial cost is highest as cost of reactor construction is very high.
|
Running cost is highest due to huge amount of coal required.
|
Practically nil as no fuel is required.
|
Higher running cost due to high price of fuels.
|
Cost of running is low as very less amount of fuel is required.
|
Coal is source of power. So limited quantity is available.
|
Water is source of power which is not a dependable quantity.
|
Natural gas (methane) & Liquid petroleum fuels are used. Air is used as the working fluid.
|
Uranium is fuel source along with platinum rods. So sufficient quantity is available.
|
Cost of fuel transportation is maximum due to large demand for coal.
|
No cost for fuel transportation
|
Higher than steam power plants.
|
Cost of fuel transportation is minimum due to small quantity required.
|
Least environment friendly
|
Most environment friendly
|
A good friend of environment than steam.
|
Better friend of environment than steam & gas power plant.
|
About 29% efficient.
|
About 85% efficient.
|
About 20% efficient.
|
More efficient than steam power.
|
Gestation period 3 - 6 years
|
Gestation period 10 - 15 years
|
Gestation period 1- 2 years
|
Gestation period 10 -15 years
|
Maintenance cost is high.
|
Maintenance cost is quite low.
|
Maintenance cost is low.
|
Maintenance cost is the highest as highly skilled workers are required.
|
Plant life 20 - 30 years
|
Plant life 30 - 50 years
|
Plant life 15 - 20 years
|
Plant life 20 - 30 years
|
Maximum standby losses as boiler still keeps running.
|
No standby losses.
|
No standby losses.
|
Less standby losses.
|
Starting required lot of time
|
Instant starting
|
Very short starting time
|
Approx. same starting time as of thermal.
|
Large space required
|
Larger space required
|
Less space required
|
Lesser space required
|
Least clean
|
Clean
|
Less clean
|
Less clean
|