Power Plant 101
Baseload Power Plants
A baseload power plant is one that normally runs continuously to generate all or part of the minimum load of an electric system. A baseload plant typically uses the lowest-cost fuel (coal, nuclear) and has less operational flexibility (i.e. the ability to quickly start and stop).
Intermediate Power Plants
An intermediate (sometimes called "mid-merit") power plant generally has the ability to start and stop on a daily basis to serve electric load that comes on during the day and goes off late at night. Intermediate power plants are more efficient than peaking power plants but generally use a higher-cost fuel (natural gas) than baseload units.
Peaking Power Plants
A peaking power plant generally runs only when there is a high demand for electricity, like during the summer months when the air conditioning load is high. Peaking plants generally have the most operational flexibility and can start up within 10-30 minutes however they are often less efficient and use the most expensive fuels (natural gas, oil).
