##  [Heat Rate Curve](/heat-rate-curve) 

  ##  [Heat Rate Curve](https://engineering.quantumdictionary.io/heat-rate-curve-0) 

  

 [![Engineering & Applied Technologies Dictionary](/sites/default/files/styles/large/public/2026-01/Engineering%20%26%20Applied%20Technologies.png.webp?itok=_IKO7_-n)](/topic-specific-dictionaries/engineering-applied-technologies)



**Engineering & Applied Technologies Dictionary**

 







 

 

 

 



 

 

 

 

Definition

An empirical or fitted mapping between a thermal power plant’s electrical output (net or gross MW) and the fuel energy input required (typically expressed as heat rate = fuel energy per electrical energy produced), derived from steady‑state operating data or performance tests; used to estimate fuel consumption, thermal efficiency and marginal fuel cost across the plant’s operating range.