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Load Factor Formula, Definition and Applications

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What is Load Factor

Definition: Load factor is defined as the ratio of average load to the maximum demand during a given period of time.

Mathematical formula equation:

Load factor = Average Load/Maximum demand … (1)

Alternative formula:

By multiplying numerator and denominator of above equation by T we obtain:

Load factor = (Average load * T)/(Max demand * T) … (2)

Categorization:

Contents

Daily Load factor

If time period T in above equation is considered a day then load factor is termed as daily load factor.

Its formula is:

π·π‘Žπ‘–π‘™π‘¦ πΏπ‘œπ‘Žπ‘‘ πΉπ‘Žπ‘π‘‘π‘œπ‘Ÿ= (π‘ˆπ‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘  π‘”π‘’π‘›π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘Ž π‘‘π‘Žπ‘¦)/(π‘€π‘Žπ‘₯π‘–π‘šπ‘’π‘š π‘‘π‘’π‘šπ‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ βˆ— 24 β„Žπ‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ )

Also see: Demand Factor formula by ElectricalEngineering.XYZ

Monthly Load factor

In this case time considered in 720 hours. (1 month = 30 days = 30 * 24 = 720 hours

π·π‘Žπ‘–π‘™π‘¦ πΏπ‘œπ‘Žπ‘‘ πΉπ‘Žπ‘π‘‘π‘œπ‘Ÿ= (π‘ˆπ‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘  π‘”π‘’π‘›π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘Ž π‘‘π‘Žπ‘¦)/(π‘€π‘Žπ‘₯π‘–π‘šπ‘’π‘š π‘‘π‘’π‘šπ‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ βˆ— 24 β„Žπ‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ )

Yearly Load Factor

In this case time considered in 8760 hours.

1 year = 365 days = 365 * 24 = 8760 hours

π‘Œπ‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿπ‘™π‘¦ πΏπ‘œπ‘Žπ‘‘ πΉπ‘Žπ‘π‘‘π‘œπ‘Ÿ= (π‘ˆπ‘›π‘–π‘‘π‘  π‘”π‘’π‘›π‘’π‘Ÿπ‘Žπ‘‘π‘’π‘‘ 𝑖𝑛 π‘Ž π‘¦π‘’π‘Žπ‘Ÿ)/(π‘€π‘Žπ‘₯π‘–π‘šπ‘’π‘š π‘‘π‘’π‘šπ‘Žπ‘›π‘‘ βˆ— 8760 β„Žπ‘œπ‘’π‘Ÿπ‘ )

You might be interested in: 13 Most Important Formulas on Variable Loads Every Power Engineer Should Know

LF and Power Generation Cost

The load factor plays detrimental role in the overall cost of electricity per unit generated. Load factor and cost per unit generated as inversely linked. The higher the load factor of a power station, the lower will be the cost per unit generated. Since, a higher load factor implies lesser maximum demand. If maximum demand is lower, that means capacity of power plant is lower.

Also see: Power Generation MCQs

Good to Know:

The value of load factor is always less than 1. That is, because the average load always smaller than maximum demand.

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