The concept of 'baseload' power, referring to a consistent minimum load matched by large, efficient generation plants, is an outdated idea. Originating from the need for stable grid load and the operating characteristics of traditional thermal power plants like coal and nuclear, it implied these plants were most efficient when running steadily.

Historically, large, slow-to-start plants served this 'baseload,' with faster, more expensive generators used for fluctuations. However, this model is obsolete. The rise of cheaper natural gas and advancements in technologies like combined cycle gas plants and batteries have made them more responsive and cost-effective. Coal plants are being phased out due to economics, and new generation technologies, such as solar and wind, are increasingly cheaper than existing generators.

Instead of the 'baseload' metaphor, energy systems should be viewed as a 'tapestry' of diverse, probabilistic resources. While this may lead to more complexity, it ultimately results in lower costs and more abundant energy. The term 'baseload' hinders productive conversations about the future of energy and should be retired.