Dispatchable generation

<h2>Dispatchable generation</h2>

<p>
Dispatchable generation refers to a type of generation based on fossil fuels or hydro power that can be controlled to balance electricity supply and demand.</p>

<p>More flexible power plants based on natural gas firing (such as open-cycle gas turbines or hydro power plants) can operate at partial loading and respond to short-term changes in supply and demand.</p>

<p>Flexibility is the key here. Storage can provide flexibility as well, either from batteries or pumped-hydro storage.</p>

<p>The need for such alternative dispatchable power generator resources is becoming more urgent due to retirement of the older baseload plants and the growing amount of less emissions-intensive energy sources.</p>