Capacity factor: Difference between revisions

no edit summary
No edit summary
No edit summary
Line 7: Line 7:
Other dispatchable plants have lower capacity factors, because they are called on only when needed to supply power above the base load.
Other dispatchable plants have lower capacity factors, because they are called on only when needed to supply power above the base load.


For nondispatchable sources – i.e., ones generate electricity according to wind speed or sunlight rather than actual demand on the grid – capacity factor is determined by their fuel sources and the [[efficiency]] with which they are converted to electrical power.
For nondispatchable sources – i.e., ones that generate electricity according to wind speed or sunlight rather than actual demand on the grid – capacity factor is determined by their fuel sources and the [[efficiency]] with which they are converted to electrical power.


Wind turbines generate electricity at an annual average rate of 25%–35% of their capacity.<ref>https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia923/</ref>  
Wind turbines generate electricity at an annual average rate of 25%–35% of their capacity.<ref>https://www.eia.gov/electricity/data/eia923/</ref>