Baseload Technologies

Overview

Baseload power generation plants operate continuously on a 24/7 basis. Baseload plants are usually large-scale and are key components of an efficient electric grid. Baseload plants produce power at a constant rate and are not designed to respond to peak demands or emergencies. Baseload power generation can rely on both renewable or non-renewable resources.

Demand Profile

Typically, power demand varies cyclically from day to day, reaching maximum during daytime business hours and dropping to minimum during late night and early morning, but never dropping below a certain base. This baseload is typically at 30-40% of the maximum load, so the amount of load assigned to baseload plants is tuned to that level. The above-base power demand (above the base) is handled by intermediate and peak power plants, which are also included in the grid. The main advantages of the baseload power plants are cost efficiency and reliability at the optimal power levels. The main disadvantages are slow response time, lack of fuel flexibility, and low efficiency when operated below full capacity.

Baseload Technologies

Baseload power plants typically are coal-fired or nuclear plants due to low-cost fuel and steady state power they can produce. Renewable power such as Biomass Power, Hydropower and Geothermal power can also be used for baseload electricity generation if those resources are regionally available.

Waste-related Baseload Technologies include Residual Waste EFW facilities, Biomass Waste EFW, Anaerobic Digestion and Landfill Gas as they produce a steady, reliable amount of energy but generally cannot be adjusted to meet peak demands.

Intermediate and Peak Power Technologies

The renewable energy systems, such as solar and wind, are most suitable for intermediate load plants. These are intermittent energy sources, with their output and capacity factor depending on weather conditions, daily, and seasonal variations. So, unless there is an effective energy storage system in place, they cannot be relied upon to meet constant electricity supply needs, nor can they be immediately employed to respond to peak demands. However, as intermediate sources, solar and wind systems can be efficient and can help reduce dependence on fossil fuels.

Peak power generation is usually attributed to the systems that can be easily stopped and started of which natural gas, oil and hydro-facilities fall.