I have a serious question regarding the provision of Electrical Power supply in response to demand variation.
The Grid was in days gone by to some extent self regulating, all machines being synchronised onto the National grid, As power demand went up all of the synchronised generators effectively slowed down and the station governor responded to restore the grid frequency. Similarly as demand reduced, power generation reduced. Decisions to remove generators from the grid or reintroduce generators to the grid were made by the National Grid controllers so that efficient generation was accomplished.
There were base stations, usually the Nuclear stations or the large Coal Fired Stations, which supplied the power to the grid which were never shut down (providing they were available) and other stations designated to supply the demand swings.
At least that was my understanding in my University days (I did study under Faraday though).
SO my question is this. Now we have vast quantities of Wind Turbines blighting our sceptered Isle, it seems to me that these monstrosities should be considered as part of the Base load providers, because the power driver is effectively free, and let the demand swings be taken by the fossil fuelled stations. I see Wind Turbines constantly being switched off during weather conditions conducive to them functioning but I am informed that they are switched off due to low energy demand.
Would it not be more sensible to reduce the power generated by the 'Swing Stations' rather than the the Wind Turbines.
I realise that Fossil fuel Stations run less efficiently when on reduced generation, but never the less, fossil fuel burning would be reduced.
It seems to me that the WInd Turbines should generate when ever they are available and not used for Demand swings.
Clearly I am misunderstanding the control of power supply and demand swings, but I am at loss to know what my misunderstanding is.
Can anyone with knowledge of the power demand control educate me.
