Question

A large nuclear power plant has a rated capacity of 1 GW electric. Its actual output is estimated to average about 80% of capacity due to the need for maintenance and imperfect match between supply and demand. Assuming that year-round average residential electricity needs are about 1 kW electric per housing unit and there are three residents per unit, estimate how many power plants would be needed to satisfy the demand of a metropolitan area with a population of 30 million.

Answer 1

you need 13 nuclear plants to satisfy the needs of the entire population.

Step-by-step explanation:

On average, 3 people live in each house. Since the population is 30 million, then the total number of houses should be 10 million. According to your estimate, 10 million house will require 10 million KW or 10 GW.

Each nuclear plant is able to produce 0.8 GW, so you need 10 / 0.8 = 12.5 ≈ 13 nuclear plants to satisfy the needs of the entire population.