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| Graphic From source article |
The chart is a “lifecycle” analysis that takes into account CO2 emitted not only during electricity generation, but also by the mining, manufacturing, construction and other processes it takes to get a power plant up and keep it running.
It’s no surprise that coal and natural gas tower above the others. But some of the other marks might raise a few eyebrows. “Renewable” power sources solar PV and biomass are both more CO2-intense than nuclear, as is hydro. Nuclear is on a par with geothermal, and virtually the same as wind.
The chart was presented earlier this month by Nobel-winning Stanford University physicist Burton Richter, at a “Science Day” hosted by French utility EDF in Sausalito, Calif. It’s not new - it was first put together by a group of PhDs from the University of Wisconsin in 2002. But its findings still hold true (note, however, that it does not include “tidal” or “solar thermal” - I’d be interested to see those and others added to the comparison).
Nuclear: Less CO2 than solar, hydro, biomass | SmartPlanet:
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