Efficiency of a Two-Stage System
Efficiency of a Two-Stage System
When energy passes through stages in series, the overall efficiency is the product of the stage efficiencies — losses compound.
The overall efficiency is η = η_1·η_2. where η_1 and η_2 are the stage efficiencies.
Inputs
eta_1 := 0.9=0.9
eta_2 := 0.85=0.85
Multiply the stage efficiencies.
eta := eta_1·eta_2=0.77
Results
Two 90%-ish stages give only about 77% overall — why long energy conversion chains waste so much, and why each stage matters.
Assumptions & limitations
- Stages in series.
- Independent efficiencies.
- Same energy stream.