Capacity Factor of Hydroelectric Power Plants

The height and color of columns at project locations are scaled and shaded to represent CFs of the projects in a specific month and year. (Capacity factor is the ratio of the energy produced to the amount that could ideally have been produced in the same period using the nameplate capacity.) The capacity used is the annually reported capacity from the Quarterly Fuel and Energy Report (CEC-1304). The data excludes hydroelectric plants that are inactive: those reporting a status of indefinite shutdown, out of service, retired, or unknown  Some hydroelectric generators can run at more than nameplate capacity, and the CF can be over 100 percent in some months. Several hydroelectric plants operate as pumped storage plants, and the net energy consumed for pumping is displayed as a negative CF, also based on the nameplate capacity.  Plants with negative factors in a month appear as columns below the map surface. Renewable energy resources like these hydroelectric facilities vary in size and geographic distribution within each state. Resource planning, land use constraints, climate zones, and weather patterns limit availability of these resources and where they can be developed.  National, state, and local policies also set limits on energy generation and use. An example of resource planning in California is the Desert Renewable Energy Conservation Plan. By exploring the visualization, a viewer can gain a three-dimensional understanding of seasonal variation in generation CFs, along with the locations and distribution of generation projects. Moving through the 3-D space gives a conception of generation CFs across the state. The viewer can observe that projects peak in generation and energy consumption in different months, depending on where and how they are operated. The large range in CFs is also apparent.ReferencesThe interactive map visualization and data analysis are created by CEC staff. Values displayed are subject to revision when more accurate data is available.For further information, contact qfergen@energy.ca.gov.