Question

A 34.0 %-efficient electric power plant produces 800 MW of electric power and discharges waste heat into 20∘C ocean water. Suppose the waste heat could be used to heat homes during the winter instead of being discharged into the ocean. A typical American house requires an average 20kW for heating.
How many homes could be heated with the waste heat of this onepower plant?

Answer 1

Answer:

77647

Explanation:

$\eta$ = Efficiency = 34%

Power used in 1 home = 0.02 MW

Total power is

$P=\dfrac{800}{\eta}\\\Rightarrow P=\dfrac{800}{0.34}\\\Rightarrow P=2352.94117\ MW$

Waste of power

$2352.94117-800=1552.94117\ W$

Number of homes would be given by

$n=\dfrac{1552.94117}{0.02}=77647.0585\ homes$

The number of homes that could be heated with the waste heat of this one power plant is 77647