Frequently Asked Questions
How much coal, natural gas, or petroleum is used to generate a kilowatt-hour of electricity?
The amount of fuel used to generate electricity depends on the efficiency or heat rate of the generator (or power plant) and the heat content of the fuel. Power plant efficiencies (heat rates) vary by types of generators, power plant emission controls, and other factors. Fuel heat contents also vary.
Two formulas for calculating the amount of fuel used to generate a unit of electricity:
- Amount of fuel used per kilowatt-hour (kWh) = Heat Rate (in Btu per kWh) / Fuel Heat Content (in Btu per physical unit)
- KWh generated per unit of fuel used = Fuel Heat Content (in Btu per physical unit) / Heat Rate (in Btu per kWh)
Calculation examples using these two formulas and the Assumptions below:
-
Amount of fuel used to generate one kilowatt-hour (kWh):
- Coal = 0.00052 Short Tons or 1.03 Pounds
- Natural Gas = 0.01003 Mcf (1,000 cubic feet)
- Residual Fuel Oil = 0.0016 Barrels
-
KWh generated per unit of fuel used:
- 1,942 kWh per Ton of Coal or 0.97 kWh per Pound of Coal
- 100 kWh per Mcf (1,000 cubic feet) of Natural Gas
- 610 kWh per Barrel of Residual Fuel Oil, or 14.5 kWh per Gallon
Assumptions:
Power plant heat rate = 10,300 Btu/kWh
Coal = 20,000,000 Btu per Short Ton (2,000 lbs) Note: heat contents of coal vary widely by types of coal.
Natural Gas = 1,027,000 Btu per 1,000 Cubic Feet (Mcf)
Residual Fuel Oil = 6,287,000 per Barrel (42 gallons)
Last updated: July 16, 2012
Other FAQs about Coal
- Does EIA have county-level energy production data?
- From what country does the U.S. import the most coal?
- How do I convert between short tons and metric tons?
- How large are U.S. coal reserves?
- How many and what kind of power plants are there in the United States?
- How much coal, natural gas, or petroleum is used to generate a kilowatt-hour of electricity?
- To what country does the U.S. export the most coal?
- What are the different types of coal prices published by EIA?
- What is the average heat (Btu) content of U.S. coal?
- What types and amounts of energy are produced in each state?
- Where can I find coking coal prices?
- Which states produce the most coal?