Nettosähköteho

Nettosähköteho is a Finnish term that translates to net electrical power. It refers to the amount of electrical energy produced by a power plant that is available for export to the electricity grid after accounting for the energy consumed by the plant itself. This internal consumption, often called auxiliary power or self-consumption, is used to operate the plant's various systems, such as pumps, fans, control systems, and lighting.

The gross electrical power is the total electrical output generated by the power plant's turbines. However, a significant portion of this gross power is used internally to keep the plant running. Nettosähköteho is therefore a more accurate measure of the power that can actually be supplied to consumers.

For example, a coal-fired power plant might generate 500 megawatts (MW) of gross electrical power. If it consumes 50 MW for its own operations, its nettosähköteho would be 450 MW. This net power is what contributes to the national or regional electricity supply.

Understanding nettosähköteho is crucial for power system operators and energy policymakers. It impacts decisions related to grid stability, energy trading, and the overall efficiency of electricity generation. Different types of power plants have varying levels of self-consumption. Nuclear power plants, for instance, tend to have relatively low auxiliary power consumption compared to some other thermal power generation methods.