will consuming less power starting from households lower the activity of the power plant?

Answer 1

Keep in mind that a home's usage patterns change throughout the day and the seasons. A home typically peaks on the hottest afternoons in the middle of summer when the AC is running. Your afternoon peak might exceed 5,000 watts. In spring and fall your AC won't be running. The daily peak load might be only 2,000 watts. Middle of the night loads are even lower. It is not uncommon for your 2 AM load to be less than 500 watts.

In the US there are large transmisison "grids" that interconnect many generating stations. These stations are dispatched by a system operator who directs the output of each generating station based on their contracts and needs of the system. The system must produce power the instant it is needed.

Generating stations are used for "base load", "cycyling", or "peaking".

Base load stations are the ones with the lowest energy costs and they try to run these flat out 24 x 365.

Cycling plants begin to ramp up their output in the morning as load increases. In the evening these plants reduce their output as the system's electrical requirements go down. Most of these plants rarely shut down completely.

Peakers sit idle much of the year and are called upon on the hottest days of summer and other conditions when the electrical demands (and prices) are very high. These plants have the highest energy costs, but can still make a big profit operating only 20 to 30 days a year.

As households begin consuming less power, the cycling plants will start later and finish earlier. The peaker plants will be called upon less. Even the base load stations will have to ease-off their output during the middle of the night some times.

In addition to the base, cycling, and peaking plants, the system operator must also adjust for other generators that might be less predictable. For example, a 100 MW wind farm is at the mercy of the wind speed for their output. The system operator must be prepared for a abrupt loss of one or more generating stations and still maintain the stability of the system.

All in all, energy conservation is the right thing. Every little bit helps, but it takes a big change to significantly affect the operation of the grid. In addition to fewer greenhouse gases being produced, it helps defer the construction of new power plants as well.

Answer 2

It is not that easy when there is a power grid. The rules about how much the electric company collects depends on which plants they are running (each having different cost of operation). Some plants are good for adding power to the grid in small adjustable amounts. Those (expensive to run gas turbines for instance) could burn less fuel for less demand. Others are base load plants that only work well if putting out a lot of power. Those (cheap to run coal plants for instance) can't be just turned down when you shut off a few lights.

Answer 3

Yes, eventually, if enough users decrease their demand at the same time. Power plants run in "Isochronous" mode which means they always try to maintain a frequency setpoint (60 Hz in USA). If a bunch of consumers all turn off their ACs or another large group of loads, the result is less mechanical resistance to turning the turbine or other prime mover (See Lenz's Law), which causes the frequency of the generator to increase a bit. The generator section is mechanically easier to turn at rated speed when there is less electrical load connected.

As soon as the control system of the generator/prime mover notices its frequency has risen above 60 Hz, it will back off the throttle or close down a steam valve a bit to hold 60 Hz. Net result is that the power plant's lower throttle or valve position will cause the rate of fuel consumption in the power plant to decrease, since its output in Watts (Usually Megawatts, MW) is now lower. All related to supply and demand.

The answer above is correct, most often, smaller changes in load are handled by throttling down or shutting off the smaller, less efficient plants. These smaller gas turbines and reciprocating engines can respond quickly to changes in load to maintain 60 Hz. The big coal-fired plants run most efficiently wide open, and they try to keep them there. It's the best move financially since it's the cheapest power available right now.

Net result is that if enough users shut off loads, a power plant somewhere will have to throttle down or shut down in order for the system to hold 60 Hz.

Answer 4

If all house holds in the particular area are consuming less power then the power plant generating this power has lesser loads. If the load is less then the machine will have longer life and maintenance activities will be less also.

Answer 5

Surely yes
Everything begins as a small step
Just imagine if each household controls its power usage activity
There are of course more households than factories.
Ratio may be 1:10000 or even
Then why not start at the household

Answer 6

Energy conservation whether in household or industrial, will definitely help the powerplant pollution aspects which are proportional to generation .

Answer 7

absolutely. every little bit helps. especially during times of peak usage like hot summer days at noon.