What is the power generating output of a typical coal-fired and/or natural gas- fired power plant?

Question

If I remember right a single large wind turbine only generates 1.5 MW peak output. I know a nuclear plant can generate more than a 1000 MW and I am unsure about a hydro plant. It just seems to me that solar and wind power can't create enough power for the demands of society. A lot of wind turbines would have to be built!

Answer 1

yes - but once you've built them the energy source is free and the maintenance costs per Mw are cheaper than other power sources because there is no degradation due to "unusual" temperatures

safety is better - zero pollution - but some people consider them to be video pollution

Answer 2

I could site many references to the pros/cons of all you have mentioned along with their outputs. This document from the WSGS can answer all you questions completely, if you take the time to read it.

Many things go into choosing which source for power production is best and when, Just because something makes more energy than consumed, does not make it efficient.

http://www.wsgs.uwyo.edu/Coal/pdf/DNR_RE...

Answer 3

i finished a two unit gas fired plant two years ago.  the combined output was 600MW max.