According to the U.S. Department of Energy, a typical home in the United States uses approximately 900 kWh of electricity per month. On an annual basis, this is 900 kWh/month x 12 months/year = 10,800 kWh/year How many homes can a 500 MW power plant with a 0.9 capacity factor support? Begin by determining how much electricity the plant can provide per month: 1 MWh equals 1,000 kWh, so to convert MWh per month into kWh per month, we multiply by 1,000: So, On average, a 500 MW power plant can supply roughly 360 homes with electricity. a. During summer months, in hot regions of the United States, some homes run air conditioners continuously. How many homes can the same power plant support if average electricity usage increases to 1,200 kWh/month during summer months? Show your work.

Respuesta :

Based on the energy generated by the power plant annually, the number of households the plant can support:

  • if energy usage is 10,800 kWh/year = 365000 households
  • if energy usage is 24000 kWh/year = 164250 households

What is electrical energy?

Energy is energy that is due to movement of electrically charged particles.

Electrical energy is used in homes for many purposes.

Electrical energy is sold in units of kWh.

Data provided:

Capacity of power plant = 500 MW

Capacity factor = 0.9

Average annual household energy usage = 10,800 kWh/year

Energy generated in a year = 24 × 365 × 0.9 × 500 MW = 3,942,000 MWh/year

3,942,000 kWh/year = 3,942,000,000 kWh/year.

Number of households the power plant can support = 3,942,000,000 kWh/10800 = 365000 households

Number of households the power plant can support is 365000 households

If monthly electricity usage increases to 1,200 kWh

In a year, energy usage = 1200 × 12 = 24,000 kWh/ year

Number of households the plant can support = 3,942,000,000 kWh/24,000 = 164250 households

Therefore, based on the energy generated by the power plant annually, the number of households the plant can support:

  • if energy usage is 10,800 kWh/year = 365000 households
  • if energy usage is 24000 kWh/year = 164250 households

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