4.2 Efficiency in the Production of Electric Energy
Figure 4.3 compares the “average” efficiency in the conversion of several primary
sources into electric energy. Some data do not consider specific applications of
technologies which are proved at the demo scale, but are not yet spread in the real
world. As an example, the efficiency of generation of electric energy from coal
varies widely with the technology used (see DI3.1 for a more detailed discussion).
In a traditional (old style and still most used technology throughout the world) coal
plant, for example, only about 28–33% of the chemical energy ends up as electricity, which has been improved by 20 points since 1985 through higher steam
operating temperatures and heat recovery.
“Supercritical” coal plants can reach efficiency levels around 40–46%, and the
most innovative integrated gasification combined cycle or IGCC (only a few plants
worldwide) reaches efficiency above 60%. The most efficient gas-fired power plants
achieve a similar level of efficiency. Lignite-fired power plants may achieve 43%
efficiency once the issue of drying of lignite is set.
Doubling the efficiency would mean halving the CO 2 emission!
Fig. 4.3 Efficiency in the production of electric energy. Reproduced from Ref. [4a] licence
CC BY 4.0
4.2 Efficiency in the Production of Electric Energy
49
Figure 4.3 compares the “average” efficiency in the conversion of several primary
sources into electric energy. Some data do not consider specific applications of
technologies which are proved at the demo scale, but are not yet spread in the real
world. As an example, the efficiency of generation of electric energy from coal
varies widely with the technology used (see DI3.1 for a more detailed discussion).
In a traditional (old style and still most used technology throughout the world) coal
plant, for example, only about 28–33% of the chemical energy ends up as electricity, which has been improved by 20 points since 1985 through higher steam
operating temperatures and heat recovery.
“Supercritical” coal plants can reach efficiency levels around 40–46%, and the
most innovative integrated gasification combined cycle or IGCC (only a few plants
worldwide) reaches efficiency above 60%. The most efficient gas-fired power plants
achieve a similar level of efficiency. Lignite-fired power plants may achieve 43%
efficiency once the issue of drying of lignite is set.
Doubling the efficiency would mean halving the CO 2 emission!
Fig. 4.3 Efficiency in the production of electric energy. Reproduced from Ref. [4a] licence
CC BY 4.0
4.2 Efficiency in the Production of Electric Energy
49