The Role of Peaker Plants in Bridging Energy Gaps and Supporting Renewable Growth
Key Ideas
  • Peaker plants sustain the electricity grid during peak demand periods by swiftly providing power for short durations, with their usage increasing despite the growth of renewable energy.
  • The global peaking power market is valued at over $990 billion in 2022 and expected to reach $1.2 trillion by 2031, with the US needing to add 20GW of peaking capacity in the next decade.
  • Mitsubishi Power's advanced gas turbines, capable of hydrogen co-firing, are set to operate in North America, showcasing a move towards more sustainable peaker plant technologies.
  • Long-term solutions like green hydrogen storage offer a way to store excess renewable energy and help meet energy demands during periods of intermittency, supporting the energy transition to deliver reliable electricity.
Peaker plants play a crucial role in ensuring grid reliability during peak energy demand periods, despite the growth of renewable energy sources. In the United States, nearly 1,000 peaker plants run on natural gas, contributing over 3% of the nation's annual net electricity generation. The increasing demand for electricity, driven by technological advancements like AI and electric vehicles, along with the retirement of coal plants, necessitates the additional capacity provided by peakers. Mitsubishi Power has developed advanced gas turbines capable of hydrogen co-firing, offering a more sustainable option for peaking applications. Strategies like storing energy in batteries and producing green hydrogen through renewable-powered electrolyzers demonstrate innovative approaches to address energy intermittency and storage challenges. The role of peaker plants is becoming more critical as the world moves towards a cleaner energy future, with peakers bridging gaps in power supply and ensuring grid stability during fluctuating demand and extreme weather events.
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