Electricity generation - peak loads:
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People have become used to having electricity available anytime any day or night at the flick of a switch. This would have to be the last word in convenience – almost as soon as you think of the need, electricity is there. To bring this convenience to customers, Western Australia’s electricity generation company, Verve Energy, must operate its power stations continuously. As it is difficult to predict the amount of electricity that will be needed, Verve Energy keeps its generating plant running constantly, even though it isn’t always being used.
There are “peaks” when electricity demand is increasing as more customers use power in their homes. The peak times occur between 6am and 10am and then from 4pm to 10pm. Verve Energy also ensures that some plant is kept on stand-by (known as “spinning reserve”) purely in case of a sudden unexpected demand, e.g. a sudden cold spell or hot spell or in case other plant breaks down. In addition, “spare” plant is also needed to meet the sudden expected demand.
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