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and the technologies. However, we can reconvert the energy back to other resources details of which as
follows.
Coal power plant in Datteln, Germany (Image: Wikimedia Commons)
Challengeshallenges
C
Why is the efficiency of energy production important?
The demand of electricity changes throughout the day. It increases largely generally at 8 am, and this level of
consumption remains high until 8 pm. Energy demand peaks at around 6:30 pm. In the evening, the demand
decreases by around 30% , compared to that during the day. To meet this uctuation in demand during the
day, can the power plants provide a stable supply at different energy consumption times?
In fact, we can stop the production at a fossil fuel power station or only decrease its production immediately,
due to its fast response. Hence, if we produce 100% our energy through fossil fuel , there is no need to worry
about the energy storage because we can synchronize the quantity of energy produced and consumed. But,
because of the global warming issue, it is now absolutely necessary to find an alternative option.
Nuclear power plants provide very large-scale energy production for us. If we produce electricity by nuclear
power for the whole world, our resource will last hundreds and thousands of years , depending on the type of
reactor we use. As a matter of fact, the production of nuclear energy is very stable. Eventhough nuclear power
plant cannot be completely stopped within a short period of time like fossil fuel power plant, the production
rate can be decreased to less than 40% during the time of low electricity demand. Due to the safety reason,
the public is against nuclear energy for long-term energy development.

