6 ms·

I do not understand, what is quicker to spin up than a hydro power plant? Surely it's slower to heat up coal to the burning temperature than just opening the ta

I do not understand, what is quicker to spin up than a hydro power plant? Surely it's slower to heat up coal to the burning temperature than just opening the tap with water.

LeifCarrotson 4y ago
Natural gas turbines are quicker to spin up than a hydro turbine.
- poooogles 4y ago
  That's not correct. Siemens energy turbines list the start up time as 10 minutes [1]. Pumped storage takes in the realm of 20 seconds [2]. 1. https://www.siemens-energy.com/global/en/offerings/services/performance-enhancement/modernization-upgrades/gas-turbines/sgo-sgt-4000f.html https://www.siemens-energy.com/global/en/offerings/services/... 2. https://www.power-technology.com/analysis/featuredinorwig-a-unique-power-plant-in-the-north-of-wales-5773187/ https://www.power-technology.com/analysis/featuredinorwig-a-...
elihu 4y ago
Batteries are effectively instantaneous. Hydro is slower than that, but compared to most other things it's very fast.