1. What is a Cost of Coal per kWh Calculator?

Definition: This calculator determines the electricity generation cost from coal by dividing total coal costs by energy produced.

Purpose: Helps energy producers, analysts, and policymakers evaluate coal power economics and compare with other energy sources.

2. How Does the Calculator Work?

The calculator uses the formula:

Where:

• \( C_{kWh} \) — Cost per kilowatt-hour ($/kWh or ₱/kWh)
• \( C_{coal} \) — Total coal costs including fuel and operations ($ or ₱)
• \( E_{kWh} \) — Energy generated (kWh)

Explanation: The total cost of coal power generation is divided by the total electricity output to determine cost per unit of energy.

3. Importance of Cost per kWh Calculation

Details: This metric is crucial for energy pricing, project feasibility studies, and comparing generation technologies.

4. Using the Calculator

Tips: Enter total coal costs (including fuel, operations, maintenance) and total energy generated. Both values must be > 0.

5. Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Q1: What costs should be included in C_coal?
A: Include all coal-related costs - fuel purchase, transportation, plant operations, and maintenance.

Q2: Why is the result displayed with 6 decimals?
A: Electricity costs are typically very small per unit, requiring precision for accurate analysis.

Q3: How does this compare to other energy sources?
A: Coal typically ranges $0.03-$0.07/kWh, while renewables often fall below $0.03/kWh.

Q4: Does this include capital costs?
A: No, this calculates operational costs only. For full cost analysis, include capital amortization.

Q5: How can I reduce my coal kWh cost?
A: Improve plant efficiency, negotiate better coal prices, or increase utilization rates.