Basic Knowledge on Key Indices of Energy Sector

Most of the industry is dealing in the production of energy using fuel from the various sources or Production of Various Product using Energy from different sources, including fuel extraction, manufacturing, refining and distribution. Modern society consumes large amounts of fuel, and the energy industry is a crucial part of the infrastructure and maintenance of society in almost all countries.

So, knowledge about Relation between the Product and Energy are very important to know the operating Efficiency, Plant efficiency and specific energy consumption of the industries.

In particular, all industry are dealing with below mentioned key Indices:

1. Gross Calorific Value of Common Fuels

2. Tonnes of Oil Equivalent (toe)

3. Specific Energy Consumption

4. Equivalent Product

5. Co-generation

Now, we explain in the details for the above major indices:

1. Gross Calorific Value of Common Fuels:

• Solid Fuel GCV (kcal/kg):

Sr. No. Name GCV Range-Approx

1 Coal (Indian) 2800-5000

2 Lignite 2500-3000

3 Coal (Indonesian) 5500

4 Coal (South African) 6000

5 Pet Coke 7500-8500

6 Rise husk 3200

7 Bagasse 1900-2100

8 Wood 3400 (varies as per moisture content)

• Liquid Fuel GCV(kcal/kg):

Sr. No. Name GCV Range-Approx

1 Furnace Oil 10000-10500

2 Diesel 10000

3 Kerosene 11100

4 LDO 10700

5 LSHS 10600

6 LPG 11600-12500

7 Naptha 10050

8 HSD 11840

9 Petrol 11200

• Gaseous Fuel GCV (kcal/Nm3):

Sr. No. Name GCV Range -Approx

1 Natural Gas 8600-10500

2 Propane 22200

3 Butane 28500

• Electricity GCV (kcal/kWh):

Sr. No. Name GCV Range -Approx

1 Grid Eectricity 860

2 CPP Electricity Heat rate of CPP

2. Tonnes of Oil Equivalent (toe)

One ton of oil equivalent (toe) is, unit of energy, based on the amount of energy released by burning one tonne of oil.

Why to use: To convert all energy sources into a single comparable terminology

1 toe = 1 tonne X Oil GCV

= 1000 kg X 10000 kcal/kg

= 10^7 kcal

3. Specific Energy Consumption (SEC):

Specific Energy Consumption (SEC) = (Energy Input – Energy Output )/ Equivalent Product

4.Equivalent product:

Suppose One Plant is having three major product output:

Final Product P1=1000 tonnes, E1= 10000 toe, SEC1 = 10000/1000

Final Product P2=800 tonnes, E2= 12000 toe, SEC2 = 12000/800

Final Product P3=600 tonnes, E3 =900 toe, SEC3 = 900/600

Know we are find Equivalent product based on below two method:

1. Based on maximum Production (tonnes)

2. Based on maximum energy consumption (toe)

Find Equivalent product by using method-1:

Based on maximum Production (tonnes)

Major Product is P1

so, Equivalent Product Peq = P1+ (SEC2/SEC1)*P2 + (SEC3/SEC1)* P3

Find Equivalent product by using method-2:

Based on maximum energy consumption (toe)

Major Power consumption is Product P2

Equivalent Product Peq = P2+ (SEC1/SEC2)*P1 + (SEC3/SEC2)* P3

5. Co-generation

Co-generation or Combined Heat and Power (CHP) is defined as the sequential generation of two different forms of useful energy from a single primary energy source, typically mechanical energy and thermal energy. Mechanical energy may be used either to drive an alternator for producing electricity, or rotating equipment such as motor, compressor, pump or fan and Thermal energy can be used either for direct process applications or for indirectly producing steam, hot water, hot air for dryer or chilled water for process cooling. Co-generation provides a wide range of technologies for application in various domains of economic activities. The overall efficiency of energy use in co-generation mode can be up to 85 per cent and above in some cases.