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Most power generation facilities are natural gas fired, using large aero derivitive gas turbine engines (essentially the same engine that is in the 747 - LM6000
by osigurdson 4y ago
Most power generation facilities are natural gas fired, using large aero derivitive gas turbine engines (essentially the same engine that is in the 747 - LM6000 vs CF6 for example) with a combined cycle steam turbine to capture the energy from excess heat. This arrangement has a thermodynamic efficiency of 60%. Even with electrical transmission losses, the efficiency is still far better (1.7X) than having the power plant located under the hood of the car.
- zamnos 4y agoNot to mention, policing one large facility for compliance with emissions is much easier than trying to monitor every single one of millions of cars on the road.
- Consultant32452 4y agoIt's much easier to regulate millions of nobodies with no power than it is to regulate a single wealthy donor.
- osigurdson 4y agoEven with a car, you aren’t necessarily regulating millions of individuals - primarily just manufacturers. I suppose there is the odd case where “old joe” removed his catalytic converter and is polluting more than others but that is probably rare. I don’t get your point on centralization however - more efficient but less robust (just like in software).
- osigurdson 4y agoCorrection - I do get your point
- Consultant32452 4y agoFor necessarily centralized industries like car manufacturing the regulations are written to protect the wealthy incumbents competition more than to protect consumers.
- pitaj 4y agoAlso, methane produces less carbon for the same amount of energy as larger hydrocarbons like gasoline and diesel.