What are the scientific reasons for power station to be located where they are?

Question

Why are they located where they are - scientific reasons

Finding information like is on the net is virtually impossible, thanks.

Answer 1

The locations of power stations depends on many factors; "scientific" reasons may or may not enter into it.

1) Population - the closer to the population being served, the better, because it is easier to carry power short distances than longer. However, populations may not want certain forms of power stations near them for percieved risk (nuclear, radiation; coal, oil, gas, toxic fumes and smoke; hydroelectric, flooding if the dam breaks) or aesthetic reasons (wind, "big ugly windmills"; solar, takes up too much space; hydroelectric, don't want to drown that pretty valley).
2) Resources. Better to be close to the resources needed to fuel the station because it's cheaper, or perhaps impractical (dam in the Sahara anyone?). But how many oil wells are located next to a power station?

Answer 2

The reasons are more engineering, economic, and political. Location is a tradeoff among competing factors.
near the consumer
near a transmission facility
access to fuel
access to cooling (ocean, lake, river, cooling towers and ponds)
away from people (pollution)
away from natural hazards (seismic faults)
at the energy supply (geothermal, wind, water)
cost of land (free for rooftop solar)

I'm sure you can think of more.

Answer 3

Cheap land. A community that isn't well enough organized to protest, block roads, etc. Near enough to the consumers to reduce leakage and waste. Not very scientific, mostly economic.

Answer 4

a power station required to be closed to a body of water because the generator needs water for cooling. other factors are not technical reasons.

Answer 5

Most of that type of power stations is to adjust the voltage to the correct voltage.

Answer 6

power generating stations or power grid station

Answer 7

i do not know