Unit-of Measure Equivalents
Metric Conversions
Electricity Terms & Definitions
Unit-of-Measure Equivalents
|
Unit
|
Equivalent
|
Kilowatt (kW)
|
1,000
|
(One Thousand)
|
Watts
|
Megawatt (MW)
|
1,000,000
|
(One Million)
|
Watts
|
Gigawatt (GW)
|
1,000,000,000
|
(One Billion)
|
Watts
|
Terawatt (TW)
|
1,000,000,000,000
|
(One Trillion)
|
Watts
|
Gigawatt
|
1,000,000
|
(One Million)
|
Kilowatts
|
Thousand Gigawatts
|
1,000,000,000
|
(One Billion)
|
Kilowatts
|
Kilowatthours (kWh)
|
1,000
|
(One Thousand)
|
Watthours
|
Megawatthours (MWh)
|
1,000,000
|
(One Million)
|
Watthours
|
Gigawatthours (GWh)
|
1,000,000,000
|
One Billion)
|
Watthours
|
Terawatthours (TWh)
|
1,000,000,000,000
|
(One Trillion)
|
Watthours
|
Gigawatthours
|
1,000,000
|
(One Million)
|
Kilowatthours
|
Thousand Gigawatthours
|
1,000,000,000
|
(One Billion)
|
Kilowatthours
|
U.S. Dollar
|
1,000
|
(One Thousand)
|
Mills
|
U.S. Cent
|
10
|
(Ten)
|
Mills
|
|
In order to convert from U.S. units to metric units using the conversion factors shown in the following table,
multiply the number of U.S. units (e.g., 2 pounds) times the conversion factor shown (0.45359237) to obtain the
equivalent number in metric units (2 pounds times 0.45359237 pounds/kilograms = 0.90718474 kilograms).
Metric Conversion
|
Type of Unit
|
U.S. Unit
|
Times
|
Conversion Factor
|
Equals
|
Metric Unit
|
Mass
|
short tons (2,000 lb)
|
x
|
0.907 184 7
|
=
|
metric tons (t)
|
|
pounds (lb)
|
x
|
0.453 592 37a
|
=
|
kilograms (kg)
|
Volume
|
barrels of oil (bbl)
|
x
|
0.158 987 3
|
=
|
cubic meters (m3)
|
|
cubic feet (ft3)
|
x
|
0.028 316 85
|
=
|
cubic meters (m3)
|
|
U.S. gallons (gal)
|
x
|
3.785 412
|
=
|
liters (L)
|
Energy
|
British thermal units (Btu)
|
x
|
1,055.055 852 62ab
|
=
|
joules (J)
|
Useful Electricity Terms
|
-
An ampere is the unit of measurement of electric current produced in a circuit
by 1 volt acting through a resistance of 1 ohm.
-
A Btu or British Thermal Unit is a standard unit for measuring the
quantity of heat energy equal to the quantity of heat required to raise the temperature of 1 pound (16
ounces) of water by 1 degree Fahrenheit.
-
The Capacity Factor of a generating unit is the ratio of "the
electrical energy produced by a generating unit for a given period of time" to "the electrical energy that
could have been produced at continuous full-power operation during the same period."
-
A circuit is a conductor or a system of conductors through which
electric current flows.
-
A current is a flow of electrons in an electrical conductor. The
strength or rate of movement of the electricity is measured in amperes.
-
Efficiency is derived by dividing the heat content of 1 kilowatthour of
electricity (3,412 Btu per kilowatthour) by the number of Btu contained in the input used to produce 1
kilowatthour.
-
Energy is the capacity for doing work--as measured by the capability of
doing work (potential energy) or the conversion of this capability to motion (kinetic energy). Energy has
several forms, some of which can be converted into another form useful for work. Most of the world's
convertible energy comes from fossil fuels that are burned to produce heat thatis then used as a transfer
medium to mechanical or other means in order accomplish tasks. Electrical energy is usually
measured in watthours, while heat energy is usually measured in Btu.
-
Heat Rate is a measure of generating station thermal
efficiency--generally expressed in Btu per net kilowatthour. It is computed by dividing the total Btu content
of fuel burned for electricity generation by the resulting net kilowatthour generation.
-
An ohm is the unit of measurement of electrical resistance. It is the
resistance of a circuit in which a potential difference of 1 volt produces a current of 1 ampere.
-
A watt is the electrical unit of power: that is, the rate of energy
transer equivalent to 1 ampere flowing under a pressure of 1 volt at unit power factor.
-
A watthour is an electric energy unit of measure equal to 1 watt of
power supplied to (or taken from) an electric circuit steadily for 1 hour.
For a complete list of EIA's electricity
terms & definitions, go to: Electricity
Terms. |
|