A New Index and Method for Evaluating Utilization Level of Power Generating Equipment

Abstract

The rapid development of new energy has brought about constant change of electricity generation structure, leading to the inability of the traditional availability hour to directly reflect the utilization level of power generating equipment. A concept of "benchmark availability hour" is thus proposed, and the availability index is defined as the ratio of availability hour to the benchmark availability hour. The reference values for the design availability hour and comparability availability hour are given respectively in the paper, and then an availability index calculation model is proposed. Through comparison of the generating equipment availability hours and availability indexes in different regions and different companies, it is proved that the availability index can factually reflect the utilization level of power generating equipment under the circumstance of generation structure being taken into consideration adequately. This new index and method can be used for power planning and project management.

Keywords

• generating equipment availability hour
• benchmark availability hour
• availability index
• utilization level of power generating equipment
• evaluation method