All courses › Electric Power and Machines › Balance and frequency

Balance and frequency

In a power system production must always equal consumption. If there is too little production, the generators slow down and the frequency drops below 50 Hz. Hydropower plants can be ramped up and down quickly and are therefore good at keeping the balance.

P_{prod} = P_{load} + P_{loss}

the balance that must always hold

f_{nom} = 50\ \text{Hz}

nominal frequency in Europe

Symbols

$P_{prod}$	produced power	MW
$P_{load}$	consumption	MW
$f$	frequency	Hz

Example

A large generator trips. The frequency drops, and reserves are switched in automatically until it is back at 50 Hz.

The frequency is the pulse of the system: if it drops, there is too little production.

Practise the power system and energy for free →

← Losses in power lines

Part of Electric Power and Machines: The power system and energy.