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Efficiency: Difference between revisions
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''Efficiency'' is often (incorrectly) confused with ''[[capacity factor]]''. | ''Efficiency'' is often (incorrectly) confused with ''[[capacity factor]]''. | ||
Thermal plants (e.g., nuclear and coal) are rather inefficient, with around two-thirds of the energy released from their fuel being lost to heat. But they can have a very high capacity factor, particularly if | Thermal plants (e.g., nuclear and coal) are rather inefficient, with around two-thirds of the energy released from their fuel being lost to heat. But they can have a very high capacity factor, particularly if they are used to provide [[Electrical grid|base load]]. | ||
Wind turbines, on the other hand can be quite efficient, capturing and converting most of the energy from the wind that is physically possible (the [[wikipedia:Betz%27s_law|Betz limit]]), although at a rather narrow range of wind speed. | Wind turbines, on the other hand can be quite efficient, capturing and converting most of the energy from the wind that is physically possible (the [[wikipedia:Betz%27s_law|Betz limit]]), although at a rather narrow range of wind speed. | ||