valtapistämisen

Valtapistämisen, a Finnish term roughly translating to "power throttling" or "power limiting," refers to the deliberate reduction of the output of a power generation facility, typically a wind turbine or a solar power plant, below its maximum potential. This is a common operational practice within electricity grids.

The primary reasons for valtapiistämisen are related to grid stability and the management of electricity supply and demand. When the electricity grid experiences an oversupply of power, or when demand is unexpectedly low, grid operators may instruct power plants to reduce their output. This prevents grid frequency deviations that could lead to blackouts. In the case of renewable energy sources like wind and solar, their output can be highly variable and sometimes exceed what the grid can absorb or what consumers need at a given moment.

Valtapistämisen is also employed when there are limitations in the transmission network. If the capacity of power lines is insufficient to carry the generated electricity from a renewable energy source to where it is needed, the output may be curtailed to avoid overloading the infrastructure. This can happen even when there is demand for the power. Environmental considerations can also play a role, such as during periods of low wind speeds and high bird activity, leading to temporary shutdowns or reduced output to protect wildlife. While necessary for grid operation, valtapiistämisen represents a loss of potential clean energy generation.