Capacity margin
Planning our electric future: a White Paper for secure, affordable and low-carbon electricity, Glossary, published by the Department of Energy & Climate Change on 14 July 2011, defines capacity margin as: ‘The difference between peak demand and installed capacity, adjusted for probable availability at peak.’
Where the Capacity Market is: ‘A type of Capacity Mechanism in which the total volume of capacity required is estimated, and providers willing to offer capacity (whether in the form of generation or non-generation technologies and approaches such as storage or demand side response) can sell that capacity. There are several forms of Capacity Market, depending on the nature of the ‘capacity’ and how it is bought and sold.’
And the Capacity Mechanism is a: ‘Policy instrument designed to help ensure security of supply by providing a more secure capacity margin than that which would be determined by the market without intervention.’
[edit] Related articles on Designing Buildings
Featured articles and news
A carbon case for indigenous slate
UK slate can offer clear embodied carbon advantages.
Costs and insolvencies mount for SMEs, despite growth
Construction sector under insolvency and wage bill pressure in part linked to National Insurance, says report.
The place for vitrified clay pipes in modern infrastructure
Why vitrified clay pipes are reclaiming their role in built projects.
Research by construction PR consultancy LMC published.
Roles and responsibilities of domestic clients
ACA Safety in Construction guide for domestic clients.
Fire door compliance in UK commercial buildings
Architect and manufacturer gives their low down.
Plumbing and heating for sustainability in new properties
Technical Engineer runs through changes in regulations, innovations in materials, and product systems.
Awareness of the Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism
What CBAM is and what to do about it.
The new towns and strategic environmental assessments
12 locations of the New Towns Taskforce reduced to 7 within the new towns draft programme and open consultation.
Buildings that changed the future of architecture. Book review.
The Sustainability Pathfinder© Handbook
Built environment agency launches free Pathfinder© tool to help businesses progress sustainability strategies.
Government outcome to the late payment consultation, ECA reacts.
IHBC 2025 Gus Astley Student Award winners
Work on the role of hewing in UK historic conservation a win for Jack Parker of Oxford Brookes University.



















Comments
[edit] To make a comment about this article, or to suggest changes, click 'Add a comment' above. Separate your comments from any existing comments by inserting a horizontal line.