Kraftkapasiteten

Kraftkapasiteten refers to the maximum electrical power that a power system, plant, or grid component can deliver under defined conditions, typically expressed in MW or GW. It includes installed (nameplate) capacity, which is the sum of ratings of all generating units, and available or reliable capacity, which accounts for maintenance, fuel supply, and outages. Net capacity is the amount that can be fed to the grid after internal losses.

In planning and operation, kraftkapasiteten must meet forecast demand with a reserve margin to ensure reliability. Capacity factors describe how much of the installed capacity actually produces energy over a period and vary by technology: baseload plants often have higher factors; wind and solar are intermittent. Reliability criteria such as minimum availability and security standards (e.g., N-1) influence dispatch and maintenance scheduling.

Markets may provide capacity payments separate from energy prices to ensure sufficient long-term capacity. The growing share of intermittent renewables raises the need for flexible capacity, energy storage, demand response, and transmission upgrades to maintain adequate kraftkapasiteten during periods of low renewable output.