Could The turbine driven power generators in California burn coal if they wanted to?

Answer 1

I don't know which specific power plants you're refering to... if you're talking about the various GAS-Turbine facilities, no! These use aircraft-style gas-turbines burning gas, diesel, or natural gas.

I DO know that the "Air-Products" facility in Stockton, California is a coal-burning STEAM turbine facility... They are also a Co-Gen type facility... the steam they produce is used next-door at a "Corn-Products" facility where they take corn and create corn starch, corn syrup, etc.

Coal CAN be burned cleanly.. it's costly to build or adapt a plant... but then it just plain WORKS !!

Answer 2

There is an abundance of free energy available on this planet. Wave, wind, solar, (underground), and many many others that I can't remember right now. If some of the multi-trillions currently being spent being spent by the US government on defence (and the rest of the planet defending ourselves FROM the US) were re-directed towards exploiting sustainable, long-term energy supplies, then much work would be generated and the cost of energy would drop significantly - in the long run. So, why are we not utilizing these sources of energy? Unbelievably short-sighted right-wing political ideology, that's why! One thing almost never reported about nuclear power, is that there isn't much nuclear power fuel available on this planet. I think I can quite honestly state that when the time comes when we are forced to move from non-renewable to renewable energy production, it will probably be far too late with far too much damage done and the environment will collapse and become incapable of supporting oxygen breathing life-forms. I concluded many years ago that capitalism will probably end all life on this planet one day. Capitalism IS right-wing politics! Do you now see where the problem is coming from?

Answer 3

Gas turbines .... no.

steam driven turbines could use coal ... but to what advantage????