Basic Conversions

Prefix Symbol Multiple Example

Kilo k 103 1 kJ = 1 000 J

Mega M 106 1 MJ = 1 000 kJ

Giga G 109 1 GJ = 1 000 MJ

Tera T 1012 1 TJ = 1 000 GJ

Examples:
 1 GJ = 109 J = 1 000 000 000 J
 1 kt = 1 000 t (Reminder: 1 t = 1000 kg , therefore 1 kt = 1 000 000 kg)

Conversions between Energy Units

Joule (J) – Basic (SI) energy unit for energy.

Watt-hour (Wh) – Energy unit used mostly for electricity.

 1 Wh = 3 600 J  1 GWh = 3.6 TJ

 1 TJ = 0.2778 GWh ( = 1/3.6 GWh)

Tonne of Oil Equivalent (toe) – Energy unit used in IEA energy balances.

 1 toe = 41.868 GJ

Tonne of Coal Equivalent (tce)

 1 tce = 0.7 toe

 Conversions between natural units and energy units
Calorific Values
A calorific value is a conversion factor used to convert a fuel quantity between natural units (mass or
volume) and energy units (energy content). There are Net Calorific Values (NCV) and Gross Calorific
Values (GCV). Depending on the product, we may want to convert using GCV or NCV. When we want to
convert from or to gross energy content, we use the GCV and when from or to net energy content, we
use the NCV.

The Calorific Values are expressed in:

 kJ/kg
 MJ/ton

 kJ/m3 (for Gas)

NCV vs GCV:

Natural Gas: NCV = 90% of GCV

Coal: NCV = 95% of GCV
Oil: NCV = 95% of GCV

Weighted Average:
Fuels from different sources might have different calorific values. We need to use the weighted average
that takes into account the proportional magnitude of each component rather than treating the
components equally:

CV : Calorific Value (e.g. kJ/m3)

Quantity : Physical quantity (e.g. m3)

For example the weighted average calorific value of coal coming from 4 different coal mines is:

𝑵𝑪𝑽𝑨 × 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑫𝑨 + 𝑵𝑪𝑽𝑩 × 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑫𝑩 + 𝑵𝑪𝑽𝑪 × 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑫𝑪 + 𝑵𝑪𝑽𝑫 × 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑫𝑫

𝑵𝑪𝑽𝑻𝑶𝑻 =
𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑫𝑨 + 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑫𝑩 + 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑫𝑪 + 𝑷𝑹𝑶𝑫𝑫

Transformation vs Energy sector own use

 Transformation: Inputs to transformation processes – from one form of energy to another
 Energy Sector: Fuel used to support energy industry activities

Main activity producers vs Autoproducers:

 Main activity: generating electricity and/or heat for sale to third parties as their primary activity
 Autoproducers: generating electricity and/or heat wholly or partially for their own use in support
to their primary activity