Dispatchable generation

Dispatchable generation refers to sources of electricity that can be programmed on demand at the request of power grid operators, according to market needs. Dispatchable generators may adjust their power output according to a request.^[1]

Conventional power sources like gas, coal and some nuclear may be considered dispatchable to varying degrees, while most renewable energy sources are not.^[1]^[2] Sometimes though, coal & nuclear can be classed as non-dispatchable, due to the slow shutdown / startup times of their plants.^[3]

Inverter-based intermittent resources like wind and solar power are quickly adjustable only to reduce their output (curtailment) relative to their production limit at any given time, which is given by the availability of the resource (like sun or wind). For this reason, they are not considered dispatchable.^[4] Other types of renewable energy can be dispatchable without separate energy storage. These include hydroelectric, biomass, geothermal and solar thermal.^[5]^[3]

^ ^a ^b Cooper, Duncan (22 March 2012). "Johnson's Energy Club Competes in Renewable Energy Case Competition". Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012. Most conventional energy sources are dispatchable, meaning that they can be turned on or off according to the demand for electricity. The amount of electricity they produce can also be turned up or down so that supply of electricity matches the amount demanded by users. By contrast, most renewable energy sources are non-dispatchable.
^ Carlos Nogueras Ramos (16 April 2025). "Legislation could undermine Texas' power grid ability to meet forecasted demand". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 19 April 2025. require half of the grid's supply as of 2026 to be dispatchable, namely natural gas, nuclear and coal-fired energy.
^ ^a ^b Electricity Grid: Key Terms and Definitions 2010
^ "Resource Adequacy Challenges Focus of PJM Testimony to FERC | PJM Inside Lines". PJM Interconnection. dispatchable thermal generators to mostly intermittent inverter-based resources .. with limited dispatchability
^ Global Energy Assessment: Toward a Sustainable Future

[Cooper2012-1] Cooper, Duncan (22 March 2012). "Johnson's Energy Club Competes in Renewable Energy Case Competition". Samuel Curtis Johnson Graduate School of Management. Archived from the original on 16 June 2012. Retrieved 29 August 2012. Most conventional energy sources are dispatchable, meaning that they can be turned on or off according to the demand for electricity. The amount of electricity they produce can also be turned up or down so that supply of electricity matches the amount demanded by users. By contrast, most renewable energy sources are non-dispatchable.

[2] Carlos Nogueras Ramos (16 April 2025). "Legislation could undermine Texas' power grid ability to meet forecasted demand". The Texas Tribune. Retrieved 19 April 2025. require half of the grid's supply as of 2026 to be dispatchable, namely natural gas, nuclear and coal-fired energy.

[vis-3] Electricity Grid: Key Terms and Definitions 2010

[4] "Resource Adequacy Challenges Focus of PJM Testimony to FERC | PJM Inside Lines". PJM Interconnection. dispatchable thermal generators to mostly intermittent inverter-based resources .. with limited dispatchability

[5] Global Energy Assessment: Toward a Sustainable Future

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