heat rate

In engineering, the heat rate is a measure of how much heat energy is required to produce a specific amount of electrical power output. It's commonly used to assess the performance and efficiency of steam turbines. A lower heat rate indicates greater efficiency, meaning less thermal energy is needed to generate electricity.1

The heat rate is influenced by several factors, including the temperature and pressure of the steam, the efficiency of the turbine in converting thermal energy to work, and losses within the system. For example, increasing steam pressure can decrease the heat rate, but this requires more expensive equipment. Operating a turbine at less than full capacity generally leads to a higher heat rate due to reduced efficiency. Heat itself is energy transferred due to a temperature difference.12