genereerimiskapatsiteet

Genereerimiskapatsiteet, or generation capacity, is the maximum electrical power a generation system or fleet can produce at a given time under specified conditions. It is typically measured in megawatts (MW) or gigawatts (GW).

The term is often described as installed or nameplate capacity—the sum of the rated outputs of all generating units connected to the grid. The portion that is actually available for dispatch at a given moment is called available capacity or reliable capacity, and it can be reduced by planned maintenance, unplanned outages, fuel constraints, or grid limitations.

Key concepts used in planning include capacity factor, which is the ratio of actual energy output over a period to the energy that would be produced if the plant operated at full capacity for that period, and capacity reserves or capacity credit, the amount of capacity that can be relied upon in planning when other sources are not available.

Capacity types can be distinguished by their role in meeting demand. Baseload capacity provides steady, continuous output; peaking capacity is used to meet short-term spikes in demand; renewable sources contribute variable capacity that depends on wind, solar, or other conditions, often requiring flexibility from other sources and storage.

In energy planning and markets, generation capacity is central to reliability and price signals. Systems analyze capacity adequacy to ensure that enough capacity is available to meet peak demand, with policies and markets designed to maintain grid security and reliability.