Category: Energy and Electricity Fundamentals
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Back to Basics, Part II: Coal and Gas Electricity Generation Production Cost Comparison
Thermal power generation by natural gas fueled gas turbines is the most common for Dispatchability when electricity demand rises. As an example, let’s take a look at the PJM Interconnection on July 2, 2026. Gas, nuclear and coal provided most of the electricity generation needed with gas providing nearly 50% of total electricity generation. In…
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Back to Basics: A Primer on Primary Energy
“The cavemen had the same natural resources at their disposal as we havetoday, and the difference between their standard of living and ours is a difference between the knowledge they could bring to bear on those resources and the knowledge used today…..” Thomas Sowell Continuing Sowell’s quote…. “To produce sufficient energy that drives our economy,…
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Musings of a Nuclear Engineer and a Coal Power Engineer on the Adequacy of Bulk Power Supply for the Future
This document summarizes discussions of Don Spellman, a senior nuclear engineer, retired U.S. Navy Submarine officer and Dick Storm, a retired coal power engineer. We have had ongoing discussions for several years regarding the inadequacy of new replacement of Dispatchable or Base Load capable coal and/or nuclear power plants. Therefore, We decided to jointly write this article to share our views. Introduction America’s Grid grew from the days of Edison, Tesla and Westinghouse to about the 1990’s in an…
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Progress in Clean Coal Combustion Is a Remarkable Achievement, So, Let’s Get on with Building More New Coal Plants
New Modern Coal Plants are Needed for Energy Security, Grid Reliability, Affordable Electricity Generation and Without Pollution, so let me explain some of the details of the equipment used to clean the flue gases and the progress made in cleaning the air since 1970 Short History of Air Pollution Control The EPA was started in…
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The Magnificent and Indispensable Heat-Engine on Which Civil Society Depends, Part III, Internal Combustion Engines up to 110,000 Horsepower
This is Part III of a three part series. Part I covered the basics of the three major Heat-Engines that provide about 75% of our electricity in the U.S. Part II covered the propulsion systems for ocean shipping. This article will explain the basics of smaller Heat-Engines used for electricity generation, farming, food production, food…
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The Magnificent and Indispensable Heat Engine On Which Civil Society Depends Part 1, Heat-Engines 1-3 Million Horsepower
The 20th century began with much farm work, transportation, heating and home chores being done with muscle power and wood burning. As coal, petroleum, natural gas and later nuclear energy were applied to replace muscle power, our country experienced rapid growth in industrial production, food production, shipping, travel and a growing economy. Also, comforts and…
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Visualizing 100 Quadrillion Btus of Primary Energy? Coal Should Remain in Our Energy Mix!
America uses right at 100 Quadrillion Btus of Primary energy each year.(12 &13) We have used right at this amount of total Primary Energy for over 20 years. The entire world uses about 600 Quadrillion BTUs of total Primary energy. The energy systems to provide this indispensable primary energy are beyond huge and so large…
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Coal’s Final Battle
Reasonable cost, Dependable, Affordable and Dispatchable coal power generation has been mortally wounded. We, the American People Must win the War on Coal Who are the Enemies of Coal? On enemies, Sun Tzu said “Know the enemy and know yourself in a hundred battles you will never be in peril. When you are ignorant of…
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The Reality of Electrifying Everything and the Primary Energy Required to Generate the Electricity…..
Conventional fuels, including coal provide most of the power needed to sustain our high quality of life. During 2022 coal use in the world reached a new high and provides the fuel for about 35.4% of the world’s electricity generation. Asia’s electricity generation was 82% from coal fuel in 2022(40, 41) Meanwhile, the current U.S.…
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Facing the Hard Truths of Energy, Part 3: The Transition that Isn’t, from the Perspective of Minerals
The Finland GTK organization has provided comprehensive and well researched information on the challenges of providing adequate minerals for the future. I recommend referring to their excellent work. (1) Also, the National Mining Association has excellent information on their web page. (2) The current slogan for the NMA is, “Minerals Make Life”. I would add,…
