The performance of coal‐burning electric generating units in the United States: 1960–1980
利用新的面板数据，研究美国燃煤发电机组的热效率和可靠性受哪些因素影响，包括机组年龄、规模、运营方式和煤炭质量，对发电成本、监管标准和技术变化有启示。
Abstract This paper studies determinants of the thermal efficiency and reliability of coal‐burning electric generating units using a new, comprehensive, unbalanced panel data set. For two major technological groups consistent and efficient estimates are obtained of the effects of unit age, vintage, scale, operating practices, and coal quality. Large utilities integrated into design and engineering appear to obtain superior unit performance. Implications of our results for life‐cycle generation costs, regulators' performance norms, and the complex pattern of technological change in this industry are discussed.