A sudden storm causes an automated safety shutdown of a massive offshore wind farm cluster, leading to an immediate deficit of 12,000 MW12{,}000\text{ MW}12,000 MW on the national grid. The grid operator must quickly activate backup power stations to prevent blackouts.
Type of power stationMaximum power output (MW)Time to reach maximum powerRelative running costTidal stream array80variable (tidal cycle)nonePumped storage hydro60030 secondsvery lowOpen-cycle gas turbine (OCGT)150010 minuteshighCoal-fired plant200024 hoursmediumNuclear power station32004 dayslow \begin{array}{|l|c|c|c|}\hline\textbf{Type of power station} & \textbf{Maximum power output (MW)} & \textbf{Time to reach maximum power} & \textbf{Relative running cost} \\\hline\text{Tidal stream array} & 80 & \text{variable (tidal cycle)} & \text{none} \\\hline\text{Pumped storage hydro} & 600 & 30\text{ seconds} & \text{very low} \\\hline\text{Open-cycle gas turbine (OCGT)} & 1500 & 10\text{ minutes} & \text{high} \\\hline\text{Coal-fired plant} & 2000 & 24\text{ hours} & \text{medium} \\\hline\text{Nuclear power station} & 3200 & 4\text{ days} & \text{low} \\\hline\end{array} Type of power stationTidal stream arrayPumped storage hydroOpen-cycle gas turbine (OCGT)Coal-fired plantNuclear power stationMaximum power output (MW)80600150020003200Time to reach maximum powervariable (tidal cycle)30 seconds10 minutes24 hours4 daysRelative running costnonevery lowhighmediumlowUsing only information in the table, evaluate which types of power station would be the most suitable to meet this immediate power deficit.
