Energy Infrastructure

Energy
• Energy is defined as the ability to produce change or do work, and that work can be
divided into several main tasks we easily recognize:
• Energy produces light.
• Energy produces heat.
• Energy produces motion.
• Energy produces sound.
• Energy produces growth.
• Energy powers technology.

Energy comprises of petroleum, gas, electrical, coal, nuclear and renewable energies –
whether that’s the generation, distribution or sale of it.
 Infrastructure
• Infrastructure is the term used to describe the interconnected organisational structures
that underpin society and enable it to function effectively. In its physical
sense, infrastructure generally relates to the assets necessary to facilitate the flow of
supplies required by society.
(An organizational structure is defined as “a system used to define a hierarchy
within an organization. It identifies each job, its function and where it reports to within
the organization.)

Energy infrastructure
• Energy Infrastructure is the organisational structure that enables the large-
scale transportation of energy from producer to consumer, as well as the directing and
managing of energy flow.

• Energy infrastructure holds traditional utilities such as gas and oil pipelines, electricity
transmission lines, coal trains, as well as technologies such as advanced electrical
metering and distribution systems, smart building systems, and power plant control
systems.
• Infrastructure simply refers to the
structures, systems and facilities serving
your local area, city or the country –
particularly the way in which these
services are delivered in order for the
economy to flourish. Structures such as
roads, bridges, tunnels, water and
sewage supplies as well as electric
power grids and telecommunications all
come under energy infrastructure.
• In short, energy and infrastructure is
The Energy & Infrastructure sector
everything around us that enables the
gives you the chance to work on
day-to-day services to function. With
projects and ideas that could change
that comes great opportunities for your
the way we live and work.
career.
 Hydropower Energy
• Flowing water creates
energy that can be captured
and turned into electricity.
This is called hydroelectric
power or hydropower.
• The most common type of
hydroelectric power
plant uses a dam on a river
to store water in a
reservoir. Water released
from the reservoir flows
through a turbine, spinning
it, which in turn activates a Power Cycle
generator to produce
electricity.
Hydropower is one of the oldest power sources on the planet,
generating power when flowing water spins a wheel or turbine.
It was used by farmers as far back as ancient Greece
for mechanical tasks like grinding grain. Hydropower is also a
renewable energy source and produces no air pollution or toxic
byproducts.

This fast flowing water turns the turbines, and the

generator system converts this kinetic energy into
electrical energy.
Water is needed to run a hydroelectric power-
generating unit.
The water is held behind a dam, forming an artificial
lake, or reservoir.
The force of the water being released from the
reservoir through the dam spins the blades of a giant
turbine.

Because the source of hydroelectric power is water,

hydroelectric power plants are usually located on or
near a water source.

The volume of the water flow and the change in

elevation (or fall) from one point to another
determine the amount of available energy in moving
water.
Typical Lay out of
Run-of-river
hydropower plant
Advantages and Disadvantages of Hydro Energy
• Advantages of Hydro Energy
• Hydro energy is a clean and reliable renewable energy resource.
• Hydro energy is more reliable than wind, solar or wave energy.
• Micro-hydro systems produce virtually no waste, greenhouse gases or CO2 emissions.
• As long as the water is there in sufficient quantity, electricity can be generated constantly.
• Once the dam is built, the energy is virtually free.
• Water can be stored in a dam ready to cope with peaks in electrical demand simply by
controlling the amount of water released.
• Hydro-electric power stations can increase to full power very quickly, unlike other power
stations.
• Large and mega-dams have multiple uses and can create recreational lakes and areas
where before there were none.
• Disadvantages of Hydro Energy
• Finding a suitable site to build can be difficult as the impact on residents or the
environment may be unacceptable.
• Dams are very expensive to build.
• Large dams can only be used in a limited number of places such as those with
large water supplies.
• The reservoirs created by large dams and mega-dams destroy local habitats.
When the area is flooded, trees and other plant life is submerged, and any animal
and human life living in the area must relocate or perish.
• Over time, dams may become unstable allowing them to self-destruct which can
lead to serious flooding, including loss of life and property.
• Damming rivers and streams may change the natural waterways, diverting water
from areas that depend on it.
• Damming rivers changes the quality, quantity and even the temperature of the
water that flows downstream, which can have an impact on plant life.
A thermal power station is
a power station in which
heat energy is converted to
electric power. In most of
the places in the world the
turbine is steam-driven.
Water is heated, turns into
steam and spins a steam
turbine which drives an
electrical generator.
Thermal power plants are the stations which generate electricity through
steam by heating of water in boilers and using coal as a fuel for heating
boilers.
A simple Layout of a thermal power station Coal

Boiler

Steam turbine

Condenser

Feed water pump

Coal: In a coal based thermal power plant, coal is transported from coal mines to the
generating station. Generally, bituminous coal or brown coal is used as fuel.
Dead storage of Coal: Dead storage is generally 40 days backup coal storage which is
used when coal supply is unavailable.
Live storage of Coal: Live storage is a raw coal bunker in boiler house.

The coal should be free from iron particle which may cause wear and tear in the
equipment.

The coal from live storage is first crushed in small particles and then taken into
pulverizer to make it in powdered form. Fine powdered coal undergoes complete
combustion, and thus pulverized coal improves efficiency of the boiler.

The ash produced after the combustion of coal is taken out of the boiler furnace
and then properly disposed. Periodic removal of ash from the boiler furnace is
necessary for the proper combustion.
• Boiler: The mixture of pulverized coal and air (usually preheated air) is
taken into boiler and then burnt in the combustion zone. On ignition of fuel
a large amount of heat energy is radiated from it. The heat energy is utilized
to convert the water into steam at high temperature and pressure. Steel tubes
run along the boiler walls in which water is converted in steam.

• Steam turbine: High pressure super heated steam is fed to the steam
turbine which causes turbine blades to rotate. Energy in the steam is
converted into mechanical energy in the steam turbine which acts as the
prime mover. The pressure and temperature of the steam falls to a lower
value and it expands in volume as it passes through the turbine. The
expanded low pressure steam is exhausted in the condenser.
• Condenser: The exhausted steam is condensed in the condenser by means of
cold water circulation. Here, the steam loses its pressure as well as temperature
and it is converted back into water. Condensing is essential because,
compressing a fluid which is in gaseous state requires a huge amount of energy
with respect to the energy required in compressing liquid. Thus, condensing
increases efficiency of the cycle.

• Alternator: The steam turbine is coupled to an alternator. When the turbine

rotates the alternator, electrical energy is generated. This generated electrical
voltage is then stepped up with the help of a transformer and then transmitted
where it is to be utilized.
• Feed water pump: The condensed water is again fed to the boiler by a feed
water pump. Some water may be lost during the cycle, which is suitably
supplied from an external water source.

• This was the basic working principle of a thermal power station and its
typical components. A practical thermal plant possess more complicated design
and multiple stages of turbine such as High Pressure Turbine (HPT),
Intermediate Pressure Turbine (IPT) and Low Pressure Turbine (LPT)
Diagram of a typical coal fired thermal power station

3. Work Shop

1. Coal Stockpile

8. Stack

2. Coal Conveyor 7. Flue gas cleaning 13. Cooling Unit

6. Boiler
12. Steam Condenser
4. Coal hopper
10. Steam Alternator

9. Steam Turbine
14. Electric grid

5. Pulverized fuel mill

11. Transformer
Advantages and Disadvantages of Thermal
Power station
• Advantages:
• Less initial cost as compared to other generating stations.
• It requires less land as compared to hydro power plant.
• The fuel (i.e. coal) is cheaper.
• Disadvantages:
• It pollutes the atmosphere due to the production of large amount of
smoke. This is one of the causes of global warming.
• The overall efficiency of a thermal power station is low (less than
30%).
• Efficiency of A Thermal Power Station
• A huge amount of heat is lost in various stages of the plant. Major part of heat
is lost in the condenser. That is why the efficiency of thermal plants is quite low.
• Thermal Efficiency: The ratio of 'heat equivalent of mechanical energy
transmitted to the turbine shaft' to the 'heat of coal combustion' is called as
thermal efficiency.
• Overall Efficiency: The ratio of 'heat equivalent of electrical output' to
the 'heat of coal combustion' is called as overall efficiency.
Wind energy
• Wind Energy is a form of renewable energy. Wind energy(or wind power) describes the
process by which wind is used to generate electricity. Wind turbines convert the
kinetic energy in the wind into mechanical power. A generator can convert mechanical power
into electricity.
• Wind power is the conversion of wind energy into electricity or mechanical energy using wind
turbines. The amount of power transferred is dependent on the rotor size and the wind speed.
• One wind turbine can be sufficient to generate energy for a household. Because wind is a source
of energy which is non-polluting and renewable, wind turbines create power without using
fossil fuels, without producing greenhouse gases or radioactive or toxic waste like power plants
that run on combustion of fossil fuels, coal or natural gas.
• As a general rule, wind generators are practical where the average wind speed is 4.5 m/s or
greater. Usually sites are pre-selected on the basis of a wind atlas, and validated with on site
wind measurements.
• In wind electric systems, the rotor is coupled via a gearing or speed control system to a
generator, which produces electricity.
Wind Turbines
• Wind turbines, like aircraft propeller blades, turn in the moving air and power an electric
generator that supplies an electric current. Simply stated, a wind turbine is the opposite of a
fan. Instead of using electricity to make wind, like a fan, wind turbines use wind to make
electricity. The wind turns the blades, which spin a shaft, which connects to a generator and
makes electricity.
• Wind Turbine Types
• Modern wind turbines fall into two basic groups; the horizontal-axis and the vertical-
axis turbine. Most large modern wind turbines are horizontal-axis turbines.
• Turbine Components
• Horizontal turbine components include:
• blade or rotor, which converts the energy in the wind to rotational shaft energy;
• a drive train, usually including a gearbox and a generator;
• a tower that supports the rotor and drive train; and
• other equipment, including controls, electrical cables, ground support equipment, and
interconnection equipment.
When the wind blows, it turns the
blades of the turbine. As these
blades turn, they spin generators
to create electricity. The electricity
is then sent to a transformer which
increases the voltage and sends it
to a distribution line. Next, local
transformers reduce the voltage
and send it to homes or
businesses.

Wind turbines are tall due to the

fact that wind increases at higher
altitude. The greater the wind
resource, the more the turbine
spins, and the more energy is
produced for our use!
• A technology which offers remarkable
advantages is not used to its full potential:
• Wind energy produces no greenhouse gases.
• Wind power plants can make a significant
contribution to the regional electricity supply and
to power supply diversification.
• A very short lead time for planning and
construction is required as compared to
conventional power projects.
• Wind energy projects are flexible with regard to an
increasing energy demand - single turbines can
easily be added to an existing park.
• Finally, wind energy projects can make use of
local resources in terms of labour, capital and
materials.
Solar Energy: The energy produced or radiated by the sun.
• How does solar energy work?
• A photon is a basic unit that makes up all light; it is a
bundle of electromagnetic energy.
• When photons strike a solar cell, they loosen electrons
from their atoms. If we attach a conductor to a cell’s
negative and positive sides, we have an electrical circuit.
• When the electrons flow through the circuit, they
generate electricity.
• Solar panel – solar cell – solar array
• Solar panels (solar modules) consists of many solar
cells. When there are many panels wired up together, we
have a solar array.
• The amount of electricity a solar panel produces depends
on three factors:
• – Its size.
• – The efficiency of the solar cells within that panel.
• – How much sunlight hits the solar panel.
 Solar energy – benefits

• Sunlight is free. Therefore, as soon as you have paid for the initial
installation, your electricity costs are virtually free.
• Lower carbon footprint. Solar energy is a green renewable energy. It
does not release carbon dioxide and other gases that contribute to
climate change. A typical photovoltaic (PV) system for an average
household, for example, could save approximately 1.2 to 1.7 tonnes of
carbon annually.
For understanding the purpose of cooling tower first of all
we will have to understand the purpose of the cooling
cycle in condenser.
The steam is generated in the boiler for the purpose of
rotating the turbine to the rated speed. After, the work has
been done in the (LP) turbine this steam is dumped into
the condenser.
Now we come to the questing what is condenser?
Condenser is yet another sort of heat exchanger in the
cycle. Condenser consists of various number of hollow
tubes in which a cooling water is circulated so as to heat
exchange takes place and steam gets condensed and
collected in hotwell (this is the bottom part of condenser
,its a sort of tank )
so as mentioned above condenser consists of hollow tubes
in which we are circulating cooling water through CW
pumps, Now as a result of heat exchange taking place in
the condenser there is rise in temperature of cooling water
hence we have to cool down this water.