Environmental impacts of power stations

Electricity generation in large centralized installations, whether using fossil fuel or nuclear power, has several environmental impacts. It is thermodynamically inevitable that about 60% of the heat energy generated is 'waste' and, unless it can be used as low-grade heat to warm buildings nearby, it has to be released into the environment.

Other waste by-products of electricity generation include emissions into the air of polluting gases.

1. Risks in power production
2. Environmental hazards of industrialization

1. Thermal pollution
2. Industrial waste water pollutants
3. Industrial air emissions
4. Increasing atmospheric carbon dioxide
5. Increase in nitrous oxides in the atmosphere
6. Environmental impacts of the use of wind power
7. Environmental hazards of nuclear power production
8. Environmental hazards of coal energy
9. Environmental hazards from transmission of electricity
10. Environmental hazards from hydropower
11. Disposal of pollutants from chimney scrubbers

1. Exploitation of fossil fuels

1. Waste waters

1. Reducing environmental impacts of electrical power generation
2. Promoting public participation in environmental decision-making
3. Generating electrical power
4. Degrading the environment
5. Decreasing atmospheric nitrous oxide concentrations

1. Power
2. Degradation