Yesterday, August 10, 2022 was a nice summer day in Southern Ontario and hopefully elsewhere with temperatures in the “comfortable” range so while peak demand for electricity was fairly high reaching 20,568 MW for a 5 minute interval at hour 18 (hour ending at 6 PM) it didn’t crack the top 10 peaks in the current year.
At that particular hour the 4,900 MW capacity of those grid connected IWT (industrial wind turbines) with their “first to the grid” rights generated 642 MWh or 3.1% of demand while representing 13% of grid connected Ontario capacity. They operated at only 13.1% of their capacity meaning other generating capacity like those natural gas plants were needed to keep air conditioners, etc. operating and they did the job generating 4,862 MWh supplying 23.6% of demand at that hour.
At hour 9 when demand is climbing on a work day those IWT managed to generate only 120 MWh which was 2.4% of their rated capacity and 0.7% of the hours 5 minute peak demand of 16,677 MW. Natural gas plants at hour 9 generated 2,100 MWh thankfully covering the shortfall of those IWT generators.
At hour 24, ending at midnight IWT were operating at 28.1% of their capacity generating 1,375 MWh however providing 9.3% of the peak demand of only 14,759 MW which nuclear and hydro could have easily provided.
It’s good to have dependable power when needed and those IWT continue to demonstrate their intermittent and unreliable ability to do so!
Parker Gallant Energy Perspectives 
Parker, who decides how much of which “top up” energy source gets called upon first. second.etc? Thanks
LikeLike
IESO makes the choice reputedly on a “cost basis” although quick availability may play a roll as well as the grid short of generation.
LikeLike
Solar and Wind energy are a good way to lower overall CO2, but should never be expected to provide the reliable 24/7 energy source we require. Capacity Factor for Solar and Wind will probably range 20-35 percent avg.
LikeLike