5 ms·

> The baseload[1] (also base load) is the minimum level of demand on an electrical grid over a span of time, for example, one week. This demand can be met by un

> The baseload[1] (also base load) is the minimum level of demand on an electrical grid over a span of time, for example, one week. This demand can be met by unvarying power plants,[2] dispatchable generation,[3] or by a collection of smaller intermittent energy sources,[4] depending on which approach has the best mix of low cost, availability and high reliability in any particular market. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_load https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Base_load "Base load" on the power generation side has only ever been an side effect of economics, not an intrinsic property of the electrical grid.

sanderjd 4y ago
Could you say more about that? It seems like an intrinsic property of the demand curve and the attributes of different kinds of power generation (ie. some can be turned up and down quickly, some can't).
- Gwypaas 4y ago
  That does not mean that it needs to be fulfilled by sources which can vary their output. You can just as easily curtail renewables when overproducing.
  - sanderjd 4y ago
    But you can't spin them up when underproducing... I think I just don't get what point you're making.
    - Gwypaas 4y ago
      The point is through geographical decoupling statistically some will "always" be spinning.
      - sanderjd 4y ago
        Maybe for wind? But there are a bunch of hours in the middle of the night that entire continents can't produce solar power.