The minimum level of demand on a grid over a day, and by extension the plants that run continuously to meet it, historically coal, nuclear and large hydro. As variable wind and solar grow, the operating question has shifted from covering a steady base to balancing a fluctuating residual, and whether the baseload framing still fits modern grids is itself debated among energy analysts.
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Source United States Energy Information Administration Official Site
Source United States Energy Information Administration Official Site
Sources
1. United States Energy Information Administration Official Site
US Energy Information AdministrationGlossary, Base load
The minimum amount of electric power delivered or required over a given period of time at a steady rate.
- Associated With: Electrical Grid
Associated With: Peak Demand, Today in Energy, Demand for electricity changes through the day
The peak demand for electricity is often a time of high price and/or stress. During this period, usually in the early evening, operators need more generating capacity, including more costly peaking units.
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