USE ELECTRICITY OR BURN HARD COAL?

Illustrative Examples of Using the Coal vs. Electricity EnergySelector Consider the case of hard coal having the value of $120 per ton and the total price of electricity (including generation, transmission, distribution, and surcharges) is 5 cents per kWh. In this case, the intersection point of these two values on the EnergySelector is in the "Burn Coal" territory. Just on the basis of heats of combustion, it is cheaper to burn coal than to use electricity for this example. Consider the case when the value of the hard coal is $280 per ton and the total price of electricity is 4 cents per kWh. Now the intersection of these two values is in the "Use Electricity" territory. Assumptions Assumptions used to develop this Coal vs. Electricity EnergySelector are:

Fuel Hard Coal Electricity

Heat Content 13,200 BTU/lb 3,412 BTU/kWh

Thermal Efficiency 75% 100%

Additional Expenses You need to recognize that there are additional expenses associated with burning coal in place of using electricity or vice versa. Additional expenses include burner purchase or modifications, proper handling and storage facilities for the materials, emission controls of combustion gases, and disposal of ash residue. These expenses are certainly not trivial and must be considered before any plans are finalized to burn coal or use electricity. Check with the manufacturer of any burner, stove, boiler, or furnace before making any modifications.
For more information please contact: Dennis Buffington Professor of Agricultural and Biological Engineering Penn State University Email: dbuffington@psu.edu 814-865-2971 (Voice) 814-863-1031 (FAX)
Copyright Information This publication is available in alternative media on request. Penn State is an Affirmative Action, Equal Opportunity University. This site is a product of Penn State College of Agricultural Sciences and Ag ICT. Please e-mail questions, comments or suggestions to: adevlin@psu.edu Last Update: January 20, 2006