Gas-fired peaking plants, often known as peak-lopping or peaker plants, are power plants designed to balance the fluctuating power requirement in the electricity network and operate during periods of high-level demand for electricity or shortfalls of electricity supply.
This demand and supply variation is due to increases in renewable energy sources (wind and solar) connected to the electricity grid as part of the UK''s effort to cut CO2 emissions. As such, these intermittent and unpredictable renewable sources pose a risk of increased fluctuations in energy supply.
The Digest of UK Energy Statistics (DUKES) recent report published and updated in 2023 by the Department for Business, Energy & Industrial Strategy states that renewables'' share of UK generation was at a record level of 46.4 per cent, up 4.7 per cent in 2022. This has grown significantly since 2000 when renewable generation was just 2.6 per cent.
Maximise trading avenues
Increased electrical output
Modular plug and play approach
Balance power fluctuations within the grid caused by intermittent renewable supply
Support the growth of renewable generation onto the network
Peak-lopping power plants provide important balancing services where weather conditions prevent output either when the wind isn''t blowing or the sun isn''t shining. Peaking plants address this imbalance and reduce stress on the electricity grid, providing power stability – to potentially avoid blackouts and maintain the security of electricity supply.
Unlike base load power plants, reserve peak-lopping plants operate in standby mode when not in use and are called to operate by the electricity grid when there is a demand to supply electricity.
Payments are made to either generate in periods of high electrical demand or reduce electrical load to balance the electricity grid.
Read our Peaking Plant Key Site and Development Considerations guide to expedite the energisation of your project.
Demand side response (DSR) mechanisms like the Short-Term Operating Reserve (STOR) and the Capacity Market are designed to level out imbalances in power supply and demand.
During periods of peak power demand, or to guard against supply disruption or grid instability, the National Grid makes use of DSR programmes. These include STOR and the Capacity Market.
Short Term Operating Reserve (STOR) mitigates the effects of short term volatility by securing additional generation or demand reduction.
When instructed by the National Grid, STOR providers can start generators or cut electricity demand to a pre-agreed level. In return, providers receive availability payments when they are ''on call'' during contracted availability windows. They also receive utilisation payments when their service is delivered to the grid.
To participate in STOR, organisations need to be able to provide a minimum of 3MW of generation or steady demand reduction and be able to sustain it for at least two hours. Because it is a short term reserve system, providers must also be able to respond quickly to instructions from the grid, ideally within 20 minutes.
The Capacity Market is another demand-side response mechanism that pays organisations for providing reliable, low-carbon capacity to meet future demand forecasts.
This is more of a long-term balancing mechanism and offers financial incentives to ensure that generators are kept on standby and ready to provide back-up electricity when demand is required.
Capacity agreements are arranged four years in advance at special auctions, which potential suppliers must qualify for.
The UK Capacity Market has recently been reinstated following a 12-month suspension to enable the European Commission to investigate whether the scheme contravened State Aid rules. In November 2019 the suspension was overturned when investigators confirmed that the scheme is necessary to guarantee the security of electricity supply in Great Britain, is in line with EU energy policy objectives, and does not distort competition in the Single Market.
Foundation, design and construction
Building design and construction
Power and control cabling infrastructure
Building services fit out (lighting, power, fire alarms, etc)
Supply of generating equipment
Control Panel systems and engine container manufacture
24/7 Plant Service and Maintenance
As air conditioning units begin to hum with summer''s arrival, electricity use surges. Across the U.S., that demand is met by more than 1,000 so-called peaker power plants, which typically only run during infrequent periods of peak energy demand. They tend to be expensive, inefficient, and disproportionately located in low-income neighborhoods of color, where they emit large amounts of carbon dioxide and harmful pollutants.
For all these reasons, environmental advocates consider peaker plants a high priority for retirement and replacement. A sweeping analysis released last month by researchers at the nonprofit Physicians, Scientists, and Engineers for Health Energy (PSE) studied nine states to identify which peaker plants have the greatest potential to be replaced by clean energy alternatives, based on their operational features and the characteristics of local electricity grids, as well as the health, environmental, and equity benefits of retiring the plants. All of these factors combined present unique opportunities to replace some of the electricity sector''s most polluting facilities in Arizona, California, Florida, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, and New York.
The feasibility of these opportunities is largely the result of recent breakthroughs in energy storage, particularly battery storage. Energy storage is essentially any system used to store electricity generated at one point in time for use at another time. The most familiar type of energy storage is battery storage, in which the electricity generated by a solar panel system during the day, for example, could be stored and then later supplied once the sun sets.
"Energy storage is now competitive with peaker power plants," said Elena Krieger, PSE''s director of research. "We''re sort of at that economic turning point where that''s the opportunity, but ideally that could set a precedent for how we think about adopting clean energy across the grid as a whole — so that we bring on these clean resources and not only reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but prioritize health, prioritize resilience, and prioritize equitable access."
About Gas fired peaker plants
As the photovoltaic (PV) industry continues to evolve, advancements in Gas fired peaker plants have become critical to optimizing the utilization of renewable energy sources. From innovative battery technologies to intelligent energy management systems, these solutions are transforming the way we store and distribute solar-generated electricity.
When you're looking for the latest and most efficient Gas fired peaker plants for your PV project, our website offers a comprehensive selection of cutting-edge products designed to meet your specific requirements. Whether you're a renewable energy developer, utility company, or commercial enterprise looking to reduce your carbon footprint, we have the solutions to help you harness the full potential of solar energy.
By interacting with our online customer service, you'll gain a deep understanding of the various Gas fired peaker plants featured in our extensive catalog, such as high-efficiency storage batteries and intelligent energy management systems, and how they work together to provide a stable and reliable power supply for your PV projects.
Related Contents
