User:AFD2020/Smart power generation

Smart power generation is a concept of matching electricity production with demand using multiple identical generators which can start, stop and operate efficiently at chosen load, independently of the others, making them suitable for base load and peaking power generation. Smart Power Generation is one solution for the power producing end of a smart grid, and the concept was presented by Markus Hotakainen and Jacob Klimstra.

This matching of supply and demand, the so-called load balancing, is essential for a stable and reliable supply of electricity. Short-term deviations in the balance lead to frequency variations, while a prolonged mismatch results in a blackout. Operators of power transmission systems are charged with the balancing task. Their main task is to match the power output of the generators connected to the load of their electrical grid.

Along with the increase of wind turbines and solar cells that feed their produced energy into the electric grid, the balancing task becomes much more challenging. The intermittent and variable power output of these renewable energy sources forces the other generators to adapt their output much more frequently and largely than in the past.

The first power plants utilizating the concept have been ordered by Elering and will be built in Estonia by Wärtsilä. They will be taken into use during 2013 and 2014. Their total combined maximum output will be 250 MW, but their primary purpose is "to provide dynamic generation capacity to meet sudden and unexpected drops in electricity supply." .