Category: Basic Energy Knowledge
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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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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 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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Facing the Hard Truths of Energy, Part 1: 79 Quadrillion Btus:The Enormity of the Fossil Energy Systems Providing Sustainable Lives
Conventional energy is vitally important for all that we do. Missing from news reports to the general public is an honest communication to try to explain the huge and enormous energy systems that we depend on each day and the impossibility of replacing conventional energy with wind and solar. To start 2024, I thought I…
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The Importance of Fuel Diversity to Power Our Economy and Our Lives, Part 1
Much has been written on the importance of energy to power a nation’s economy and to continue to provide a high quality Human Development Index. The purpose of this post is to focus on the importance of Fuel Diversity for electricity generation. There is a proven concept for energy storage for electricity generation. It is…
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Back to Basics: The U.S. Needs 100 Quadrillion Btus/year of Primary Energy
Each citizen needs about 315 million Btus of energy to sustain our freedom of travel and way of life Introduction Yesterday I was a guest speaker at the “Money Talks Club” gathering in Sun City. I presented my views of Net Zero Carbon and was impressed with the interest and understanding of energy and electricity…
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Demystifying the Importance of Energy and Electric Power
Monday evening I was invited to the Sunset Rotary Club to provide a presentation on energy and electric power generation. I accepted the invitation because I believe it is important for the general public to understand the importance of affordable, reliable energy and electricity generation. Rotary Clubs are comprised of great civic minded people that…
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American Energy Independence With a Rational Energy Policy is Needed Now!
America and all Developed countries require Energy to power our lives and our economy. It is time (for the government, energy savvy citizens already know this) to face the facts and reality that nearly 90% of the energy America depends on, including for our Defense of National Security, is sourced from conventional fuels or sources…
