M4:Ch2: Electric Power Generation

Conventional energy sources: These are naturally present and have been in use for years. The
use of conventional sources is done for heating, lighting, cooking, running machinery, and
provision of electricity. The examples for which include firewood, fossil fuels, and others. In
addition, firewood has been extensively used for cooking purposes in remote regions of India.

The fossil fuels are plants, and animal remains, which have been buried from millions of years
ago within the earth. These remains are decomposed and formed primary energy sources like
coal, petroleum, natural gas, etc.

The reserves for such energy sources are in limited quantities and soon will be depleted with a
growth rate of population.

Advantages:

 Easily Available
 Efficient and good electricity conversion
 Low exploration costs

Disadvantages:

 Time-consuming collection process

 Pollutes the atmosphere
 Destroys natural ecosystems
 Displaces local communities
 Initial set-up could be costly

Non-conventional sources of energy: Non-conventional sources could be obtained from sun,

wind, hot springs, and others that support heat and power generation. They are non-polluting and
present in abundance within the earth’s atmosphere.

Non- Conventional energy sources are the best alternatives to conventional sources while also
non- polluting. In 1973, the oil crisis encouraged a focus on non – conventional sources, which
has increased in recent times due to high environmental pollution.

Advantages:

 They are non-polluting

 Available in abundant
 Freely available
 Low harnessing costs
 Low environmental damage

Disadvantages:

 Their acquisition can be sourced only in restricted time limits like in rainy seasons tidal
waves will generate more energy than others
 Not viable commercially
 Lower efficiency levels.
Difference between Conventional & Non-conventional sources of energy

Conventional Sources of Energy Non-conventional sources of energy

It is readily available by nature
These sources of energy are also known as a non-
renewable source of energy
They find both commercial and industrial
purposes
These can be considered to be one of the reasons
for the cause of pollution
Coal, fossil fuels are two examples
It requires mechanical devices for procuring
These sources of energy are also known as a
renewable source of energy
They are mainly used for household purposes
These are not responsible for the cause of
pollution
Wind, solar energy and Biomass two
examples

Single line diagram of power system

The fig shows the layout of a typical AC power supply scheme by a single
line diagram. An electric supply system consists of three principal
components viz., the power station, the transmission lines and the
distribution system. Electric power is produced at the power stations
which are located at favorable places, generally quite away from the
consumers. It is then transmitted over large distances to load centers with
the help of conductors known as transmission lines. Finally, it is
distributed to a large number of small and big consumers through a
distribution network.

(i) Generating station: In Fig, G.S. represents the generating

station where electric power is produced by 3-phase
alternators operating in parallel. The usual generation voltage
is 11 kV. For economy in the transmission of electric power,
the generation voltage ( i.e., 11 kV) is stepped upto 110 kV
(or more) at the generating station with the help of 3-phase
transformers.
(ii) Primary transmission. The electric power at 110 Kv is
transmitted by 3-phase, 3-wire overhead system to the
outskirts of the city. This forms the primary transmission.
(iii) Secondary transmission. The primary transmission line
terminates at the receiving station (RS) which usually lies at
the outskirts of the city. At the receiving station, the voltage is
reduced to 33kV by step-down transformers. From this
station, electric power is transmitted at 33kV by 3-phase, 3-
wire overhead system to various sub-stations (SS) located at
the strategic points in the city. This forms the secondary
transmission.
(iv) Primary distribution. The secondary transmission line
terminates at the sub-station (SS) where voltage is reduced
from 33 kV to 11kV, 3-phase, 3-wire. The 11 kV lines run
 along the important road sides of the city. This forms the primary distribution. It may be
noted that big consumers (having demand more than 50 kW) are generally supplied power at
11 kV for further handling with their own substations.
(v) Secondary distribution. The electric power from primary distribution line (11 kV) is delivered
to distribution sub-stations (DS). These sub-stations are located near the consumers localities
and step down the voltage to 400 V, 3-phase, 4-wire for secondary distribution. The voltage
between any two phases is 400 V and between any phase and neutral is 230 V. The single-
phase residential lighting load is connected between any one phase and neutral, whereas 3-
phase, 400 V motor load is connected across 3-phase lines directly.

Wind power plant

A wind turbine turns wind energy into electricity using the aerodynamic force from the rotor blades,
which work like an airplane wing or helicopter rotor blade. When wind flows across the blade, the air
pressure on one side of the blade decreases. The difference in air pressure across the two sides of the
blade creates both lift and drag. The force of the lift is stronger than the drag and this causes the rotor
to spin. The rotor connects to the generator, either directly (if it’s a direct drive turbine) or through a
shaft and a series of gears (a gearbox) that speed up the rotation and allow for a physically smaller
generator. This translation of aerodynamic force to rotation of a generator creates electricity.

The controller allows the machine to start at wind speeds of about 7–11 miles per hour (mph) and shuts
off the machine when wind speeds exceed 55–65 mph. The controller turns off the turbine at higher
wind speeds to avoid damage to different parts of the turbine. The controller also monitors the
temperature of the generator and controls it. Think of the controller as the nervous system of the
turbine.

Nuclear power plant

In the nuclear power plant, the fission takes place in the reactor and the middle of the reactor is known
as the core that includes Uranium or Thorium fuel, and this can be formed into pellets of ceramic. Every
pellet generates 570 liters of oil energy. The total energy generated from the pellets is stacked in metal
fuel rods. A bunch of these rods is known as a fuel assembly and a reactor core includes several fuel
assemblies.

During nuclear fission, the heat can be generated within the core of the reactor. This heat can be used
to heat up the water into steam so that turbine blades can be activated. Once the turbine blades are
activated then they drive the generators to make electricity. In a power plant, a cooling tower is
available to cool the steam into the water otherwise they use the water from different resources.
Finally, the cooled water can be reused to generate steam.

Hydel power plant

Hydroelectric power plant (Hydel plant) utilizes the potential energy of water stored in a dam
built across the river. The potential energy of the stored water is converted into kinetic energy
by first passing it through the penstock pipe. The kinetic energy of the water is then converted
into mechanical energy in a water turbine. The turbine is coupled to the electric generator. The
mechanical energy available at the shaft of the turbine is converted into electrical energy by
means of the generator.

A surge tank is a small reservoir or tank in which the water level rises or falls due to sudden
changes in pressure. There may a sudden increase of pressure in the penstock pipe due to
sudden backflow of water, as the load on the turbine is reduced. This sudden rise of pressure in
the penstock pipe is known as water hammer.

Tailrace is a water path to lead the water discharged from the turbine to the river or canal. The
water held in the tailrace is called the Tailrace water level.
Solar power plant

Electric power is generated from PV (Photo Voltaic) cell. A solar cell is a device that directly converts the
energy of light into electrical energy through the photovoltaic effect. A solar cell is basically a p-n
junction diode. Solar cells are a form of photoelectric cell, defined as a device whose electrical
characteristics – such as current, voltage, or resistance – vary when exposed to light. Solar cells or
photovoltaic cells are made based on the principle of the photovoltaic effect. They convert sunlight into
direct current (DC) electricity.

The above block diagram explains how the generated power is processed and utilized.

PV Module: When PV cells (present in the solar modules) absorb sunlight, the energy present in the
photons of light is transferred to the semiconductor material. The electrons are made to flow through the
semiconductor material as electric current. Group of PV cells are connect in series to make a PV module.

Charge controller: Charge Controller is an electronic device that manages the power going into the battery
bank from the PV module. It ensures that the deep cycle batteries are not overcharged during the day and
that the power doesn’t run back to the solar panels overnight and drains the batteries. Some charge
controllers are available with additional capabilities, like lighting and load control, but managing the
power is its primary job.

Battery: Batteries are used to store solar energy (solar electricity) and discharge power as and when
needed. Rechargeable solar batteries are used to store electric energy. Some solar battery banks use wet
cells, while others use sealed or gel cell batteries. Each of these batteries has different temperature,
mounting, and ventilation requirements. Ni-MH (nickel metal hydride battery) batteries are preferred and
most common when it comes to solar energy because they are better than standard Ni-CD (nickel-
cadmium battery) batteries in terms of charging and release cycles.

DC loads: Some of the loads like DC light and BLDC fans require DC supply for such kind of application
the loads are fed by battery banks directly.

Inverter and AC loads: Usually all domestic appliance work on AC supply but the PV module produce
DC hence Inverters will convert 12V or 24V DC to 230V single phase AC signals and feed to AC loads.