BriefTea
Every story in sixty words
Get the free app no ads · no paywallExplained in plain English
Why use gas for backup power?
Gas-fired power stations are crucial for balancing the grid because they can be started up and shut down relatively quickly. This flexibility makes them ideal for filling gaps when intermittent sources like wind power drop unexpectedly. Historically, coal power stations played a similar role, but most have now been phased out.
Stories that explain this
Britain's Grid Calls for Extra Power as Wind Drops to 1%Related explainers
How does the grid get extra power? How much power comes from wind? What is Neso's main job? What AI tools could councils use? Why is AI use still shallow? Do animals use medicine? Who were the Axis powers? What is a backup quarterback?The full catalogue
Browse every card filed under U →We would like to count visits and see which links bring readers here. That means storing a random ID in your browser. No cookies, no ads, no profile. How it works.