3 ms·
> If you go fossil fuel, you have only 40% efficiency for Fossil Fuel -> Electricity, This is a big underestimate for natural gas now that we mostly use combin
by comicjk 4y ago
> If you go fossil fuel, you have only 40% efficiency for Fossil Fuel -> Electricity,
This is a big underestimate for natural gas now that we mostly use combined-cycle gas plants (basically a jet turbine bolted to the ground, with its exhaust heat used to power a traditional steam plant). Combined-cycle efficiency is over 60%, which changes your math significantly.
- chii 4y agomore importantly, decoupling the electricity generation with the heating, means that improvements made to electricity generation instantly flows into each home, vs using gas for home heating means _every home_ would need to purchase new gas equipment if improvements become available, to get the improvements - a major capital cost for the individual which may not be able to do it.
- m4rtink 4y agoAnt then you have combined cycle + district heating plants, and you use even more of the energy.