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Capacity factor: Difference between revisions
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Capacity factor should not be confused with [[efficiency]]. | Capacity factor should not be confused with [[efficiency]] or [[availability]]. | ||
Capacity factor is the fraction of energy actually produced over a period of time – usually a year – of what a generator has the capacity to produce. | Capacity factor is the fraction of energy actually produced over a period of time – usually a year – of what a generator has the capacity to produce. | ||
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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 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. | For nondispatchable sources – i.e., ones that generate electricity according to wind speed and direction 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> | ||