天然气发电的AI数据中心估算（Copilot)。长话短说，需要约150million 立方英尺/天。

假设，AI 数据中心用电750MW. (300-1000MW的中间值)

以下是Copilot 算的

Natural gas needed for a 750 MW gas power plant

Below is a practical estimate based on typical heat rates for natural?gas generators. Results vary with technology, ambient temperature, and plant efficiency.

 

Key assumptions

• Net electric output: 750 MW (i.e., 750 MWh per hour).

• Generator type and heat rate:

  • Combined?cycle gas turbine (CCGT): 6.5–7.5 MMBtu/MWh6.5\text{–}7.5\ \text{MMBtu/MWh} (about 50–60% efficiency).

  • Simple?cycle gas turbine (SCGT): 9–11 MMBtu/MWh9\text{–}11\ \text{MMBtu/MWh} (about 33–40% efficiency).

• Gas energy content: 1,037 Btu/scf1{,}037\ \text{Btu/scf} (typical pipeline natural gas).

 

Calculations

Formulas

• Hourly fuel energy: MWh×heat rate\text{MWh} \times \text{heat rate}

• Gas volume: MMBtu÷(Btu/scf)\text{MMBtu} \div (\text{Btu/scf})

Combined?cycle case (efficient)

• Hourly fuel energy:

750 MWh×6.5–7.5 MMBtu/MWh=4,875–5,625 MMBtu/hour750\ \text{MWh} \times 6.5\text{–}7.5\ \text{MMBtu/MWh} = 4{,}875\text{–}5{,}625\ \text{MMBtu/hour}

• Hourly gas volume:

4,875–5,625 MMBtu1,037 Btu/scf≈4.70–5.42 million scf/hour\frac{4{,}875\text{–}5{,}625\ \text{MMBtu}}{1{,}037\ \text{Btu/scf}} \approx 4.70\text{–}5.42\ \text{million scf/hour}

• Daily gas volume: 113–130 million scf/day113\text{–}130\ \text{million scf/day}

• Annual gas volume: 41–47 bcf/year41\text{–}47\ \text{bcf/year}

Simple?cycle case (less efficient)

• Hourly fuel energy:

750 MWh×9–11 MMBtu/MWh=6,750–8,250 MMBtu/hour750\ \text{MWh} \times 9\text{–}11\ \text{MMBtu/MWh} = 6{,}750\text{–}8{,}250\ \text{MMBtu/hour}

• Hourly gas volume:

6,750–8,250 MMBtu1,037 Btu/scf≈6.51–7.95 million scf/hour\frac{6{,}750\text{–}8{,}250\ \text{MMBtu}}{1{,}037\ \text{Btu/scf}} \approx 6.51\text{–}7.95\ \text{million scf/hour}

• Daily gas volume: 156–191 million scf/day156\text{–}191\ \text{million scf/day}

• Annual gas volume: 57–70 bcf/year57\text{–}70\ \text{bcf/year}

 

What changes the number

• Technology: CCGT vs. SCGT is the largest driver.

• Ambient temperature: Hotter air increases heat rate (more gas per MWh).

• Parasitic loads: Plant auxiliaries and cooling reduce net output efficiency.

• Capacity factor: Fuel scales with actual average output; if average load is lower than 750 MW, reduce proportionally.

 

Quick takeaway

• For a 750 MW plant running continuously:

  • CCGT: about 113–130 million scf/day.

  • SCGT: about 156–191 million scf/day.