Definition
A generating facility operated primarily during periods of maximum system demand, typically characterized by low annual capacity factor and higher operating cost per MWh. Peak load plants include combustion turbines, diesel generators, and pumped storage facilities in discharge mode — technologies that can start or ramp quickly but are too expensive to run continuously. Because they operate only during the highest-demand hours, peak plants create sharp transmission loading peaks that constrain planning and can drive the need for transmission upgrades or demand-side management.
Topic Deck
Generation Fundamentals
Source
FERC Pro Forma OATT / LGIP
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