### **Comparison of Hydro, Diesel, Nuclear, and Thermal Power
Stations**
| **Parameter** | **Hydro Power Plant** |
**Diesel Power Plant** | **Nuclear Power Plant**
| **Thermal (Coal) Power Plant** | **Source** |
|-------------------|----------------------------------------------------------------|------------------
--------------------------------------------|-----------------------------------------------------------
-----|----------------------------------------------------------------|------------|
| **Initial Cost** | Very high due to dam construction and infrastructure
(El-Wakil, 2010, p. 45). | Low, as installation is simple (Nag, 2017, p. 62).
| Extremely high due to reactor safety measures (Rashid, 2016, p. 89). |
High, requires large infrastructure and fuel handling systems (Rao &
Parulekar, 2012, p. 110). | Nag (2017, p. 62) |
| **Running Cost** | Low, as water is free and minimal maintenance is
required (El-Wakil, 2010, p. 47). | High, as diesel is expensive and requires
frequent supply (Nag, 2017, p. 65). | Moderate, as nuclear fuel lasts
longer, but waste disposal is costly (Rashid, 2016, p. 92). | High, as coal
procurement and transportation costs are significant (Rao & Parulekar,
2012, p. 115). | Rashid (2016, p. 92) |
| **Limitations** | Dependent on water availability, large land area
required (El-Wakil, 2010, p. 50). | High fuel cost, pollution, and limited
capacity (Nag, 2017, p. 68). | Safety concerns, radioactive waste disposal
issues (Rashid, 2016, p. 95). | Air pollution, coal dependency, and ash
disposal (Rao & Parulekar, 2012, p. 120). | El-Wakil (2010, p. 50) |
| **Efficiency** | 85-90%, very high (Nag, 2017, p. 70).
| 35-40%, low (Nag, 2017, p. 73). | 33-37%,
moderate (Rashid, 2016, p. 98). | 35-45%, moderate
(Rao & Parulekar, 2012, p. 125). | Rao & Parulekar (2012, p.
125) |
| **Reliability** | Highly reliable if water source is stable (El-Wakil, 2010,
p. 55). | Less reliable, affected by fuel supply and engine wear (Nag,
2017, p. 75). | Highly reliable, operates continuously with minimal
interruptions (Rashid, 2016, p. 100). | Reliable but affected by coal supply
and pollution regulations (Rao & Parulekar, 2012, p. 130). | Nag (2017, p.
75) |
| **Simplicity** | Complex, requires dam, turbines, and storage (El-Wakil,
2010, p. 58). | Simple, easy to install and maintain (Nag, 2017, p. 78).
| Very complex, involving reactors, cooling systems, and waste disposal
(Rashid, 2016, p. 105). | Moderately complex, requiring boilers, turbines,
and fuel handling (Rao & Parulekar, 2012, p. 135). | Rashid (2016, p. 105)
|
### **References**
- El-Wakil, M. M. (2010). *Power Plant Technology.* McGraw-Hill Education,
pp. 45-58.
- Nag, P. K. (2017). *Power Plant Engineering.* Tata McGraw-Hill Education,
pp. 62-78.
- Rashid, M. H. (2016). *Electric Renewable Energy Systems.* Academic
Press, pp. 89-105.
- Rao, S. & Parulekar, B. B. (2012). *Energy Technology: Non-Conventional,
Renewable & Conventional.* Khanna Publishers, pp. 110-135.
### **In-text Citations**
- Hydro power plants have an efficiency of up to 90%, making them one of
the most efficient energy sources (Nag, 2017, p. 70).
- Diesel power plants have high operational costs due to the expensive
fuel (Nag, 2017, p. 65).
- Nuclear power plants require extensive safety measures, leading to
higher costs (Rashid, 2016, p. 92).
- Thermal power stations contribute significantly to air pollution and
require efficient ash disposal methods (Rao & Parulekar, 2012, p. 120).
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