Gigajoule (GJ)
A gigajoule (GJ) is a metric term used for measuring energy use. For example, 1 GJ is equivalent to the amount of energy available from either:
- 277.8 kWh of electricity, or
- 26.1 m3 of natural gas, or
- 25.8 litres of heating oil
Similar to the energy released when burning a million wooden matches, a gigajoule of gas will cook over 2500 hamburgers, and a gigajoule of electricity will keep a 60-watt bulb continuously lit for six months.
Since a gigajoule can provide a single number to represent all your energy sources, these measurements are useful if you want to establish a baseline or compare your facility with others. Use the Gigajoule and Energy Intensity Calculator to help determine the energy use and intensity of your facility.