Electric cars can lead to local gas-burning power generation

Gas peaking plant [image credit: Clarke Energy]

Renewables advocates keep pushing the idea that there may be ‘gaps’ in power supply due to intermittency. But most sensible people realise it’s the other way round – renewables provide a small percentage of the total power and everything else has to work around that. Here’s an example of the propaganda.

The Ashford Peaking Power Plant is a 21MW facility located at Kingsnorth Industrial Estate in Kent, reports Energy Live News.

It has 14 gas engines on site, which runs for around 1,500 to 2,000 hours a year – it is fully automated, unmanned and is monitored and controlled remotely.

Managed by AMP, it has won contracts in National Grid’s Capacity Market to provide electricity when demand is at peak and can be fired in up to two minutes from standby.

Mark Tarry, CFO at AMP said peaking plants are renewables-enabling as they can help fill in the gaps when it’s not sunny or windy as well as support the growth of new technologies like electric vehicles (EVs).

ELN took a tour of the facility – watch the video to find out more.