Traditional Energy Sources
Fossil fuel power stations are still the backbone of our energy system, burning oil, coal, and gas to generate electricity. These release about 30 MJ of energy and create greenhouse gases like carbon dioxide when they burn. Whilst they're reliable and can meet demand quickly, they're major contributors to climate change.
Nuclear power stations are absolute powerhouses, using uranium or plutonium as fuel. They release a massive 300,000 MJ of energy - that's 10,000 times more than fossil fuels! The best part? No greenhouse gases are produced because there's no burning involved.
However, nuclear power comes with its own challenges. The radioactive waste needs to be stored safely for many years, which requires careful planning and significant costs.
Key Fact: Nuclear power generates 10,000 times more energy than fossil fuels without producing greenhouse gases, making it incredibly efficient but requiring careful waste management.
