http://insideenergy.org/2016/06/20/ie-questions-can-we-turn-power-plants-wasted-heat-into-power/ http://insideenergy.org/2016/06/20/ie-questions-can-we-turn-...

http://insideenergy.org/2016/06/20/ie-questions-can-we-turn-power-plants-wasted-heat-into-power/ http://insideenergy.org/2016/06/20/ie-questions-can-we-turn-... is an interesting read. The efficiency of a basic coal plan is pretty dismal - converting a mere third of the released heat into useful electricity if I'm understanding right. And even if you build a state of the art combined heat & power system (requiring steam pipes to heat houses, not just electric lines) we're still looking at only ~85% efficiency.