The chapter discusses how most new coal-fired electricity generation plants
Question # 00160696
Posted By:
Updated on: 12/28/2015 09:18 PM Due on: 01/27/2016
Heat Engines
Electricity Efficiency
The chapter discusses how most new coal-fired electricity generation plants have an
efficiency of ~38% for converting the energy from the burning of coal into
electricity, resulting in about 62% of the heat energy produced being lost to the
environment. By using cogeneration, much of that waste heat can be used for space
and water heating in homes, offices, and in industrial applications. The example of
the University of Colorado, Boulder (section 3.8, Textbook), shows that by using
such cogeneration technology the University has increased the overall efficiency of
the facility to 70%. By reviewing the economics of the plant, it can be seen that not
only is the electricity produced at this plant cheaper than that produced at the public
utility, but the plant will have paid for itself in 15 years, with the life expectancy being
much longer at 40 to 50 years. This plant is fueled by natural gas, but is so clean and
quiet most cannot tell the difference between the plant and a normal building. For
the recovery and use of the waste heat, the spaces and applications that are using the
heat must be relatively close so the heat is not lost in transport; that is why it works
so well on campus.
1. Briefly discuss why, if so many benefits can result from this technology, are
more neighborhood scale cogeneration plants not constructed?
Power Demand
The power demand in the United States increased by roughly by 30% in the last
decade. According to the Public Administration, the nation needs to build 65 new
power plants per year for the next 20 years in order to meet the growing needs of the
United States. The Administration supports a mixture of conventional fossil fuel
fired plants and new nuclear technology. One major issue to consider is the effect
these new plants will have on the rivers and lakes they draw water from in order to
cool their operations. The rise in the temperature of the receiving water bodies has a
major effect on the ecosystems around the discharges. In addition to thermal
pollution, hydropower dams, coal sludge spills, airborne coal dust, and oil and
methane drilling all pose threats to river ecosystems.
2.Research on this topic and briefly discuss how these threats can be mitigated
in the future as our power demand increases?
Additional Requirements
Min Pages: 2
Level of Detail: Show all work
Other Requirements: APA Style, Essay and include references
Electricity Efficiency
The chapter discusses how most new coal-fired electricity generation plants have an
efficiency of ~38% for converting the energy from the burning of coal into
electricity, resulting in about 62% of the heat energy produced being lost to the
environment. By using cogeneration, much of that waste heat can be used for space
and water heating in homes, offices, and in industrial applications. The example of
the University of Colorado, Boulder (section 3.8, Textbook), shows that by using
such cogeneration technology the University has increased the overall efficiency of
the facility to 70%. By reviewing the economics of the plant, it can be seen that not
only is the electricity produced at this plant cheaper than that produced at the public
utility, but the plant will have paid for itself in 15 years, with the life expectancy being
much longer at 40 to 50 years. This plant is fueled by natural gas, but is so clean and
quiet most cannot tell the difference between the plant and a normal building. For
the recovery and use of the waste heat, the spaces and applications that are using the
heat must be relatively close so the heat is not lost in transport; that is why it works
so well on campus.
1. Briefly discuss why, if so many benefits can result from this technology, are
more neighborhood scale cogeneration plants not constructed?
Power Demand
The power demand in the United States increased by roughly by 30% in the last
decade. According to the Public Administration, the nation needs to build 65 new
power plants per year for the next 20 years in order to meet the growing needs of the
United States. The Administration supports a mixture of conventional fossil fuel
fired plants and new nuclear technology. One major issue to consider is the effect
these new plants will have on the rivers and lakes they draw water from in order to
cool their operations. The rise in the temperature of the receiving water bodies has a
major effect on the ecosystems around the discharges. In addition to thermal
pollution, hydropower dams, coal sludge spills, airborne coal dust, and oil and
methane drilling all pose threats to river ecosystems.
2.Research on this topic and briefly discuss how these threats can be mitigated
in the future as our power demand increases?
Additional Requirements
Min Pages: 2
Level of Detail: Show all work
Other Requirements: APA Style, Essay and include references
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Rating:
/5
Solution: The chapter discusses how most new coal-fired electricity generation plants