How is electricity provided to our homes and what happens to it when not in use?

[sophiecentaur]

Compared to boilers, I don't really know, but turbine life is on the order of years for land based industrial use.

That timescale would compare with 'decades' for a steam turbine system? I didn't realize that gas turbines were used as regularly as you suggest. They certainly are very flexible but I wonder about relative fuel cost. That will change with the markets, I guess.

 

[mheslep]

That timescale would compare with 'decades' for a steam turbine system? I didn't realize that gas turbines were used as regularly as you suggest. They certainly are very flexible but I wonder about relative fuel cost. That will change with the markets, I guess.

In the US NG is currently very cheap, and is back down to ~2002 prices, $4-5 per 1000 CF thanks in part to US shale gas. Still not as cheap as coal per BTU, but much closer than it was.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Henry_Hub_monthly_price.svg
recent:
http://www.eia.doe.gov/dnav/ng/ng_pri_sum_dcu_nus_m.htm