In a serious emergency situation, Mt. Hope could switch all its six units from full pumping mode to full generating mode in as little as one minute. Mt. Hope's rapid-response capability can also enable its power output to go from zero to the full 2000MW capacity in just 10 seconds in response to emergency situations. By comparison, the most modern combustion turbines take 3 to 5 minutes to reach a sustainable output in such situations. Fast response can effectively reduce the amount of thermal spinning reserve needed to be set aside for contingencies, thus freeing existing capacity for normal operating duty. This would reduce the need to site other types of electrical generating plants in the densely-populated northern New Jersey area.
Mt. Hope can enhance the utilization of the existing regional transmission system.
Its fast-response capability and high reliability can reduce the margin of carrying capacity on the system that needs to be held in reserve for emergencies and can provide voltage support over long distances. This would also help defer the need to construct new high-voltage transmission lines. It is the ramping up and backing off of these units that unnecessarily causes them to create excessive air pollution. This, along with increased transmission capacity, would facilitate compliance with the 1990 Clean Air Act Amendments. Mt. Hope will exert a stabilizing influence on the cost of future electrical supplies.