Utilization factor and Reserve factor

Utilization factor

The utilization factor represents a measure of the power 

utilization of power plants It is less than unity The 

utilization factor is defined as the ratio between the 

maximum demand and the rated capacity of the power plant

Utilization factor = maximum load demand /rated capacity of power plant

Reserve factor

The ratio between the rated capacity of a power plant and 

the maximum demand is known as the reserve factor plant 

Typical value of the reserve factor is between 1.2 and 1.4

Res factor = 1/utilization factor

Res factor=rated capacity of the power plant/maximum load demand