Load curve definition (PRE-CLASS CONTENT)

Load Curve:

is a graphical plot showing the variation in demand for energy of the consumers on a source of supply with respect to time .




Load Curve (Demand Variation Curve):

1)    They are helpful in deciding the total installed capacity of the plant that should be capable of meeting the peak load demand.

2)    They are helpful in deciding the most economical size of various generating units.

3)    They are helpful in deciding the operating schedule of the power plant, i.e. how, when and in what sequence, the various units should be started, run and shut down.

The decision on whether to shut down certain sets or continue their operation at reduced load is to be made in the light of minimum losses. For optimizing the operation, the load curves should be considered in the analysis.


Load Curve and Load Duration Curve

Load Duration Curve is the plot of Load versus time duration for which that load was persisting