Dispatchable generation

Dispatchable generation refers to sources of electricity that can be programmed on demand at the request of power grid operators, according to market needs.

For example, the 1,728 MW Dinorwig pumped storage power plant can reach full output in 16 seconds.

[4] Gas turbine (Brayton cycle) thermal plants require around 15-30 minutes to startup.

Coal thermal plants based on steam turbines (Rankine cycle) are dispatchable sources that require hours to startup.

A typical boiling water reactor goes through the following stages:[6] The primary benefits of dispatchable power plants include:[7] These capabilities of dispatchable generators allow: A 2018 study suggested a new classification of energy generation sources, which accounts for fast increase in penetration of variable renewable energy sources, which result in high energy prices during periods of low availability:[8]