Question

A power plant running at 35% efficiency generates 300 MW of electric power. At what rate (in MW) is heat energy exhausted to the river that cools the plant?

A) 171.4 MW
B) 428.6 MW
C) 857.1 MW
D) 600 MW

Answer 1

The rate at which heat energy is exhausted to the river is 857.1 MW.

Step-by-step explanation:

To determine the rate at which heat energy is exhausted to the river, we can use the equation:

Efficiency = (Useful output energy / Input energy) x 100%

Given that the power plant is running at 35% efficiency and generates 300 MW of electric power, we can calculate the rate at which heat energy is exhausted as follows:

Input energy = (Useful output energy / Efficiency)

Input energy = (300 MW / 0.35)

Input energy = 857.1 MW

Therefore, the rate at which heat energy is exhausted to the river is 857.1 MW.