Let's Compare: Fuels to Electricity

Natural Gas to Electricity

GAS:
Approximate energy content

50 MJ/kg
or about 14kWh/kg
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Energy output per kilogram of natural gas:

 3.5kWh @ 25% conversion efficiency

CO2 produced per 100kWh:
78 kilograms

Oil to Electricity

OIL:
Approximate energy content

40 MJ/kg
or about 11kWh/kg


Transparency Master

Energy output per kilogram of oil:

 2.8kWh @ 25% conversion efficiency

CO2 produced per 100kWh:
113 kilograms

Coal to Electricity

COAL:
Approximate energy content

40 MJ/kg
or about 11kWh/kg


Transparency Master

Energy output per kilogram of coal:

 2.8kWh @ 25% conversion efficiency

CO2 produced per 100kWh:
122 kilograms

Wood to Electricity

WOOD:
Approximate energy content

15 MJ/kg
or about 4kWh/kg


Transparency Master

Energy output per kilogram of dry hardwood:

 NOT USED

Water to Electricity (Hydroelectric Energy)

WATER
Approximate energy content

variable


Transparency Master

Energy output per kilogram of water:

 variable

CO2 produced per 100kWh:
NONE

Nuclear to Electricity

Nuclear:
Approximate energy content (net)

960 000 MJ/kg
or about 270,000kWh/kg


Transparency Master

Energy output per kilogram of fuel:

 270,000kWh/kg

CO2 produced per 100kWh:
NONE

The "Big Picture"

Most regions of Canada have several different mechanisms for the generation of electricity. This means that when one uses electricity, the carbon dioxide production depends not only on the fuel being burned, but on the ratio or fraction of the total amount of electricity produced by the various energy sources that are used (to produce the electricity).

A summary of the electrical energy generation for each province is given in the the attached chart as well as the net carbon dioxide production per 100kWh of electrical energy produced. Click Here: Fuel to CO2.

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