Megawatt (MW)
The megawatt, symbol MW, equals 1,000,000 watts or 1,000 kilowatts. It is a crucial unit in power generation and large-scale energy utilization. The term first appeared in the early 20th century as national grids and industrial-scale electricity production developed. The megawatt became a key measure for the output of power plants, wind farms, and large infrastructure projects. For example, a modern wind turbine may produce between 2 and 5 MW, while large nuclear plants can generate more than 1,000 MW. The megawatt links laboratory science with industrial application, making it vital in global energy planning and addressing climate challenges. Finally, for understanding heating and cooling, a different unit—BTU per hour—is often used, especially in North America.
BTU per hour (BTU/hr)
BTU per hour (BTU/hr) is a power measurement derived from the British Thermal Unit, which represents the heat needed to raise one pound of water by one degree Fahrenheit. One BTU/hr corresponds to about 0.293 watts. This unit has traditionally been used in both the UK and US, especially within the heating, ventilation, and air conditioning (HVAC) sector. It is still widely employed to rate the output of appliances like furnaces and air conditioners. Despite not being part of the metric system, BTU/hr persists in North America due to its deep-rooted presence in industry standards and consumer usage.