The yearly load duration curve of a power plant has the maximum load 500 MW and the minimum load is 400 MW. The capacity of the plant is 750 MW. Find (i) plant capacity factor. (ii) load factor, (iii) utilization factor. (iv) reserve capacity. Solution

The given data -

Maximum Load = 500 MW

Minimum Load = 400 MW

Plant Capacity = 750 MW

To find -

i] Plant Capacity Factor

ii] Load Factor

iii] Utilization Factor

iv] Reserve Capacity

Formulae -

$$ Average\ Annual\ Load = \frac{Maximum\ Load + Mimimum\ Load}{2} $$

$$ Plant\ Capacity\ Factor = \frac{Average\ Annual\ Load}{Capacity\ of\ the\ Plant} $$

$$Load\ Factor = \frac{Average\ Annual\ Load}{Maximum\ Load}$$

$$ Utilization\ Factor = \frac{Maximum\ Load\ or\ Demand}{Capacity\ of\ the\ Plant} $$

$$Reserve Capacity = Capacity\ of\ the\ Plant - Maximum\ Load\ or\ Demand $$

Solution -

i] Plant Capacity Factor

First, calculate the Average Annual Load

$$ Average\ Annual\ Load = \frac{Maximum\ Load + Mimimum\ Load}{2}$$ $$ = \frac{500 + 400}{2} = 450\ MW$$

$$ Plant\ Capacity\ Factor = \frac{Average\ Annual\ Load}{Capacity\ of\ the\ Plant} $$ $$ = \frac{450}{750} = 0.6 $$

Therefore, Plant Capacity Factor = 0.6

ii] Load Factor

$$Load\ Factor = \frac{Average\ Annual\ Load}{Maximum\ Load}$$ $$= \frac{450}{500} = 0.9$$

Therefore, Load Factor = 0.9

iii] Utilization Factor

$$ Utilization\ Factor = \frac{Maximum\ Load\ or\ Demand}{Capacity\ of\ the\ Plant} $$ $$ = \frac{500}{750} = 0.67 $$

Therefore, Utilization Factor = 0.67

iv] Reserve Capacity

$$Reserve\ Capacity = Capacity\ of\ the\ Plant - Maximum\ Load\ or\ Demand $$

$$ = 750 - 500 = 250\ MW$$

Therefore, Reserve Capacity = 250 MW

Summarization of the above findings -

i] Plant Capacity Factor = 0.6

ii] Load Factor = 0.9

iii] Utilization Factor = 0.67

iv] Reserve Capacity = 250 MW