The need for peak load will increase because of the large amount of wind energy coming into the grids. That is because it is impossible to control how much the wind blows. To meet demand in peak periods, the alternatives are coal, gas - and hydro. The more hydropower that gets into the system at times of peak consumption, the greater the reduction in CO 2 emissions.
Paying the real price of power
Coal- and gas-fired power stations have huge extra costs when they produce electricity to meet demand in peak hours. That is partly for technical reasons and partly because of the costs they pay in relation to their carbon dioxide emissions.
16 January 2009 12:09 GMT
Updated
8 January 2013 10:35 GMT
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