Dispatchable Generation
Power plants that can be turned on, off, or adjusted in output on demand by grid operators. Natural gas, hydropower, nuclear, geothermal, and batteries are dispatchable. Wind and solar are "variable" (weather-dependent).
Why It Matters
The grid must balance supply and demand in real time. As variable wind and solar grow, the value of dispatchable clean sources (hydro, nuclear, geothermal, batteries) increases — they fill gaps when the sun isn't shining and wind isn't blowing.
Related Topics
Related Terms
Capacity Factor
The ratio of actual energy produced by a system to its maximum potential output. Solar typically has a 15-25% capacity factor.
Peaker Plant
A power plant that operates only during periods of peak electricity demand — typically natural gas simple-cycle turbines that can start up in 5-15 minutes. They run a few hundred hours per year and charge premium electricity rates.
Baseload
The minimum amount of electric power delivered or required over a given period at a constant rate. Historically provided by coal and nuclear plants that run continuously.