This part really caught my attention: > in 1962, the anthracite seam under Centralia, PA – 25 miles to the west of Lehigh County – caught on fire and is still burning today.) That’s crazy to think that for over 60 years there’s been an underground coal mine on fire. I wonder how long the mines will burn for. The pictures on Google are quite interesting.
Steam Networks
31–40 of 161 posts
Re: Steam Networks
#32The article cites end-to-end efficiency as 60%. Plus the costs of maintaining steam generators and the pipe network. Electrical transmission systems are roughly 85% efficient to the consumer; together with boring old resistive electric radiators which are 100% efficient. So is there any reason to subscribe to the steam system for new construction?
Re: Steam Networks
#33The article cites end-to-end efficiency as 60%. Plus the costs of maintaining steam generators and the pipe network. Electrical transmission systems are roughly 85% efficient to the consumer; together with boring old resistive electric radiators which are 100% efficient. So is there any reason to subscribe to the steam system for new construction?
Re: Steam Networks
#34I always thought watching films that steam in the dark streets was some cool 80s aesthetics. As in 'You are in this dark corner of the city where nobody can hear you' scary or edgy.
Re: Steam Networks
#35The article cites end-to-end efficiency as 60%. Plus the costs of maintaining steam generators and the pipe network. Electrical transmission systems are roughly 85% efficient to the consumer; together with boring old resistive electric radiators which are 100% efficient. So is there any reason to subscribe to the steam system for new construction?
Re: Steam Networks
#36The article cites end-to-end efficiency as 60%. Plus the costs of maintaining steam generators and the pipe network. Electrical transmission systems are roughly 85% efficient to the consumer; together with boring old resistive electric radiators which are 100% efficient. So is there any reason to subscribe to the steam system for new construction?
Re: Steam Networks
#37The article cites end-to-end efficiency as 60%. Plus the costs of maintaining steam generators and the pipe network. Electrical transmission systems are roughly 85% efficient to the consumer; together with boring old resistive electric radiators which are 100% efficient. So is there any reason to subscribe to the steam system for new construction?
Electrical generation itself isn't a 100% efficient. For example a gas powered electricity plant is about 60% efficient for generating electricity. Generating heat from gas is far more efficient.
Then again if you use the electricity not for direct heating but for example to power a heatpump on the other end (i.e. you use the electricity to extract heat from the air) then it could be more efficient.
Re: Steam Networks
#38The article cites end-to-end efficiency as 60%. Plus the costs of maintaining steam generators and the pipe network. Electrical transmission systems are roughly 85% efficient to the consumer; together with boring old resistive electric radiators which are 100% efficient. So is there any reason to subscribe to the steam system for new construction?
In terms of thermodynamics, a electric resistive heater is 100% efficient, but if the measurement is how many BTU of heating you can put into a room in a day with a certain amount of watt hours, a modern heat pump will always beat it. Also of course 100% electric.
I am not sure about "always". Does it not depend on the temperature difference?
The use cases for steam seem to be where you need more than room heating though: the first paragraph mentions sterilising medical equipment, humidity control, and washing.
Re: Steam Networks
#39The article cites end-to-end efficiency as 60%. Plus the costs of maintaining steam generators and the pipe network. Electrical transmission systems are roughly 85% efficient to the consumer; together with boring old resistive electric radiators which are 100% efficient. So is there any reason to subscribe to the steam system for new construction?
There's zero opportunity cost of "you could use it for some other purpose instead".
Re: Steam Networks
#40Saas - Steam as a service