How is Electricity Generated in Australia? Australia is really dependant on coal for electricity, more than any other developed country, except Denmark and Greece. Australia’s electricity is low cost by world standards. Natural gas is increasingly used for electricity. After many years of low investment, there is a major challenge to build more generation capacity. Electricity consumption in Australia has been growing at nearly double the rate of energy use overall. In around 11,000 Kilowatt hours capita was used, including that incorporated into exports. Electricity generation takes 44% of Australia’s main energy, and in terms of the final energy consumption, electricity provides 24% of the total.

Coal-Fired Electricity Australia is one of the world's biggest producers of coal. Now, Australia derives more than 80% of its energy from coal and is the world's largest coal exporter. Because of the abundance of coal in Australia's mineral- rich land, electricity generated from it is relatively cheap in comparison to other countries. Every year approximately million tonnes is consumed Each ton of coal consumed at an electric power plant produces about 2000 kilowatt hours of electricity. Coal generates 54% of world electricity, and is the single biggest air polluter in the U.S.

Hydro Electricity Australia has a number of large hydroelectric schemes. Hydro electricity currently accounts from 97% of Australia’s renewable energy. In terms of total electricity generation, hydro electric power represents 10% of Australian production and 18% of world production. Approximately 5.5 tons of Steam is required to generate 1 MW of power. The amount of water consumed varies on the types of turbines used. For every ton of water/steam it will produce of a Megawatt China is the Highest Hydroelectricity producer is the world. The 3 Gorges dam found in China is the biggest hydroelectricity power plant in the world The 3 Gorges dam is almost twice the size of the next largest Hydroelectricity power plant

Nuclear Electricity Nuclear energy originates from splitting of uranium atoms in a process called fission. At the power plant, the fission process is used to generate heat for a producing stem, which is used by a turbine to generate electricity. 1 one ton of natural uranium can produce more than forty million Kilowatt hours of electricity. This is the equivalent of burning sixteen thousand tons of coal. America is the highest nuclear power producer in the world. But France (the second highest producer) uses over 75% of total energy consumption whereas the U.S. uses less than 20%. Estimated to be around tons every year, though due to secrecy the precise number is unknown.

Nuclear Electricity Coal Fired Electricity Advantages Disadvantages More power is produced in Nuclear power plants than any other plant. A small amount of matter creates a large amount of energy. New rector types have been designed to make it physically impossible to melt down, as the core gets hotter the reaction gets slower, hence a run-away reaction. Almost 0 emissions (less greenhouse gas emissions). Cultivation coal is a very dangerous job, many men and women die each year in coal mine related failures and accidents. It cannot be recycled It is non-renewable and is fast depleting. Coal storage cost is high especially if required to have enough stock for a few years to assure power production availability. Nuclear plants are more expensive to build and maintain. Waste products are dangerous and need to be carefully stored for long periods of time. The spent fuel is highly radioactive and has to be carefully stored for many years or decades after use. This adds to the costs. There is presently no adequate/safe long-term storage. Mishaps at nuclear plants can render hundreds of square miles f land inhabitable and unsuitable for any use for years. Easily combustible, and produces high energy upon combustion helping in locomotion and in the generation o electricity and other forms of energy. Widely and easily distributed all over the world. Comparatively inexpensive due to large reserves and easy accessibility. Very large amounts of electricity can be generated in one place using coal, cheaply Advantages

The End By Julia Boaden 9GI