Why do large power production plants tend to be of the thermal type?

Large power production plants are typically of the thermal type mainly because they can effectively burn solid fuels such as coal, biomass, and waste, using the most efficient heat cycles, such as the Rankine cycle. This ability to utilize solid fuels allows thermal plants to generate significant amounts of energy and provides flexibility in fuel choice, which can lead to better energy security and cost-saving opportunities.

The efficiency in converting thermal energy into electrical energy in these plants is also a crucial factor; thermal plants can achieve high thermodynamic efficiencies through various advanced cycles and technologies. This capacity to harness energy from a stable and consistent fuel source is particularly advantageous in meeting large-scale energy demands.

While other options may seem feasible, they do not encompass the primary reasons for the prevalence of thermal plants in large power production. The operational costs, ease of maintenance, and pollution aspects are influenced by many variables and can vary widely among different types of plants, making them less definitive reasons for the dominance of thermal power plants in large-scale energy production.