Minimum level of demand on an electrical grid over a span of time
The base load[2] (also baseload) is the minimum level of demand on an electrical grid over a span of time, for example, one week. This demand can be met by unvarying power plants[3] or dispatchable generation,[4] depending on which approach has the best mix of cost, availability and reliability in any particular market. The remainder of demand, varying throughout a day, is met by intermittent sources together with dispatchable generation (such as load following power plants, peaking power plants, which can be turned up or down quickly) or energy storage.
Power plants that do not change their power output quickly, such as some large coal or nuclear plants, are generally called baseload power plants.[3][5][6] In the 20th century most or all of base load demand was met with baseload power plants,[7] whereas new capacity based around renewables often employs flexible generation.[8]
^ abDonald G. Fink, H. Wayne Beatty (ed), Standard Handbook for Electrical Engineers, Eleventh Edition, Mc-Graw Hill, 1978 ISBN9780070209749, pp. 12-16 through 12-18
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