Analysis of hourly generation patterns at large coal-fired units and implications of transitioning from baseload to load-following electricity supplier

摘要: Several factors have led to the decline of electricity generation from coal over past decade, and projections forecast high rates growth for wind solar technologies in coming years. This analysis uses hourly data large coal-fired power stations determine how operations been modified recent years describes implications these changes plant equipment unit reliability. The shows increasing variability intraday output that affects nearly all units sample, but magnitude increase varies widely among plants. Outage patterns were examined as was relationship between renewable energy a region operations. Aggregate direct indirect costs associated with running plants load-following not yet quantified large-scale studies on sector-wide basis, largely due differences specific responds fluctuations. Due findings degree potential impact equipment, study suggests development new modeling tool will represent at lower capacity factors.