kapacitásfaktor

Kapacitásfaktor is a term used in energy production to describe the ratio of a power plant's actual energy output over a given period to its maximum possible output during that same period. It is a measure of how effectively a power plant is utilized. A higher capacity factor indicates that the plant is operating more consistently and closer to its full potential. Conversely, a low capacity factor suggests that the plant is idle for significant periods or operates at a reduced output.

The capacity factor is calculated by dividing the actual energy produced (in kilowatt-hours or megawatt-hours) by the theoretical maximum energy that could have been produced if the plant had run at its rated capacity continuously for the entire period. For example, if a 100 MW power plant produces 50,000 MWh in a year, its capacity factor is 50,000 MWh / (100 MW * 8760 hours/year) = 0.057, or 5.7%.

Capacity factors vary significantly depending on the type of power generation technology. Baseload power plants, such as nuclear or coal-fired plants, typically have high capacity factors because they are designed to operate continuously. Intermittent renewable energy sources, like solar and wind power, generally have lower capacity factors because their output is dependent on environmental conditions. Storage systems, such as batteries, can influence the effective capacity factor of renewable sources by smoothing out generation. Understanding capacity factor is crucial for energy planning, grid management, and economic analysis of power generation assets.