What Is Increased Efficiency in an Energy Source?
People commonly refer to energy efficiency as a way to reduce energy use. Increased efficiency of an energy source is a particular type of energy efficiency.
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Definition
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Some energy is always lost when energy is converted for use. The efficiency of an energy source is the amount of useful output obtained for a given level of input.
Capacity Factor
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The efficiency of a power plant is often measured by its capacity factor. The capacity factor is the actual power produced divided by the rated capacity of the plant for a given period of time. So a higher capacity factor means increased efficiency. The average capacity factor for nuclear power is about 92 percent, compared with oil and natural gas at 11 to 42 percent and renewables at 36 to 40 percent.
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Significance
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Increasing the efficiency of energy sources reduces the total amount of energy needed, so it lowers emissions of air pollution, water pollution and greenhouse gases.
Cogeneration
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The efficiency of an energy source can be increased if the waste heat is used. Power production with fossil fuel and nuclear sources involves generating heat to turn a turbine. In cogeneration, the waste heat is used to heat buildings or for industrial processes, so the efficiency of the entire system is increased.
Improving Efficiency
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Technological improvements can increase the efficiency of an energy source. Research is being conducted to increase the efficiency of power plants, for example, by reducing the moisture content of coal or by modifying the motor or turbine.
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References
- Photo Credit Image by Flickr.com, courtesy of Tony
