kapacitásfaktort

Kapacitásfaktor is a Hungarian term that translates to "capacity factor" in English. It is a dimensionless number used to describe the ratio of the actual output of a power plant or energy generation facility over a period of time to its maximum possible output during that same period. The capacity factor is a measure of how effectively a power source is utilized.

The formula for calculating the capacity factor is: Capacity Factor = (Actual Energy Produced) / (Maximum Possible Energy Produced) * 100%. The maximum possible energy produced is determined by the plant's rated capacity multiplied by the total time in the period.

A capacity factor of 100% would mean the plant operated at its maximum rated power continuously throughout the entire period. In reality, capacity factors are almost always less than 100% due to various factors. These can include scheduled maintenance, unplanned outages, fuel availability, grid demand, and the inherent variability of some energy sources.

For example, renewable energy sources like solar and wind have naturally fluctuating outputs and therefore typically have lower capacity factors compared to baseload power plants such as nuclear or coal-fired plants, which are designed to operate consistently. Understanding the capacity factor is crucial for economic analysis, grid planning, and comparing the performance of different types of power generation.