Power plan efficiency (From Western Telegraph)

Power plan efficiency

DEAR EDITOR, - I would like to congratulate the Western Telegraph on the publishing of the corporate response to the fears expressed by some in your letters page regarding LNG. In response to Inefficient Power Stations, power station efficiency is limited by the Carnot efficiency.

This is the maximum efficiency that a closed cycle power station can operate at. Many Power generators quote a percentage of this as their efficiency. Hence 80% (of Carnot) efficiency is really more like 45% (true) efficiency.

A free-standing power station is not particularly efficient. If our Government was committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions then it should put its money where its mouth is and give substantial tax incentives to build combined heat and power plant.

GLEN ELLIOTT Barn House, The Ridgeway, Lamphey.