Introduction to Electrical

Power System
EACT - 339

CHAPTER 1
GENERATION OF ELECTRICITY

Temesgen Taye

1
 Outline:
• Introduction
• Structure of power system
• Generation of electrical power
• Sources of electrical power

2
 Introduction
• Supplying of electric power from a power station to consumers’
premises is known as an electric supply system.
• It consists of three principal subsystems: the power station, the
transmission lines and the distribution system.
– Power Station/Generation: source of power, ideally with a
specified voltage and frequency.
– Transmission: Transporting the generated power; ideally as a
perfect conductor.
– Distribution system: Distributing the already generated and
transmitted power to the individual end user.
• Electric energy is an essential ingredient for the industrial and all-
round development of any country.

3
 Cont..
• It can be adapted easily and efficiently to domestic and industrial
applications, particularly for lighting purposes and industrial
work.
• Conventionally, electric energy is obtained by conversion from
fossil fuels (coal, oil, natural gas), and nuclear.
• Non conventionally (renewable source of energy), electric energy
is obtained form wind, solar/photovaltaic cells and advanced
energy technologies

4
 Cont..
• Power: • Energy:
– Instantaneous – Integration of power over
rate of time,
consumption of – Energy is what people really
energy, want from a power system,
– How hard you – How much work you
work!
accomplish over time.
• Power = voltage x
current (VxI) for dc • The most important forms of
power energy are
• Power Units: Watts 1. Mechanical Energy,
= amps times volts 2. Electrical Energy and
(W)
3. Thermal Energy or Heat
kW –1 x 103 Watt Energy
MW – 1 x 106 Watt
GW–1 x 109 Watt 5
 Units of Energy and relationship among energy units
1) Mechanical Energy: The unit of mechanical energy is newton -
meter or joule on SI system. [J = Nm]
Mechanical energy in joules = Force in newton × distance in meters
2) Electrical energy. The unit of electrical energy is watt-sec or
joule and is defined as follows: [J = Wsec]
One watt-second (or joule) energy is transferred between two points if
a p.d. of 1 volt exists between them and 1 ampere current passes
between them for 1 second
 Units of Energy
Electrical energy in watt-sec (or joules) = voltage in volts × current
in amperes × time in seconds.

• Joule or watt-sec is a very small unit of electrical energy for

practical purposes. In practice, for the measurement of electrical
energy, bigger units, watt-hour and kilowatt hour are used.
• 1 watt-hour = 1 watt × 1 hr.
= 1 watt × 3600 sec = 3600 watt-sec
• 1 kilowatt hour (kWh) = 1 kW × 1 hr.
= 1000 watt × 3600 sec
= 36 x 105 watt-sec.
Load Factor = Pav / Pmax
Yearly Electrical Energy = Pav X Hrs in a years
= Pav X 8760
 Units of Energy cont…
3) Heat Energy. Heat is a form of energy which
produces the sensation of warmth.
• The unit of heat is calorie.
Calorie.
It is the amount of heat required to raise the
temperature of 1 gm of water through 1 o C
i.e, 1 calorie = 1 gm of water X 10c
Sometimes a bigger unit namely kilocalorie is used
1 kilo calorie = 1 kg X 1 o C
=1000 gm X 1 o C
=1000 calorie
 Relation Ship Among Energy Units
• 1 Joule = 1 Newton - meter
• 1 Joule = 1 Watt – sec
• 1 Joule = 1 / 4.18 Calorie
• 1 kwh = 1000W x 3600 Sec = 36 × 10 5 Joules
• 1 calorie = 4.18 Joules
• 1 kwh = 860 kcal
• 1 kg-m = 10 N-m
• Efficiency, η = Output power/Input power
 Structure of Power System

• For Economical and technical reasons individual

power system are organized in the form of
electrically connected areas or regional grids (also
called power pools).
• Each area or regional grid operates technically and
economically independently, but these are eventually
interconnected to form a national grid (which may
even form an international grid) so that each area is
contractually tied to other areas in respect to certain
generation and scheduling features.
10
 Cont..
Single line diagram of a Power System Structure

Generation Transmission
System System
15,20 kV 400,500 kV 400,500 kV 66,45 kV
Generator-1
Large
Consumers

Step-up Step-down
Transformer 132,230 kV Transformer

Distribution
System
Generator-2 400,500 kV
15,20 kV 132,230 kV
66,45 kV
Step-down
Transformer
Step-up
Transformer 33,15 kV

11,11.5 kV
400/220 V
33/15 kV
Medium
Generator-3 and small
Consumers

11
 Cont..
• Generating stations, transmission lines and the distribution
systems are the main components of an electric power system.
• Generating stations and a distribution system are connected
through transmission lines.

12
 Cont..
• Power System is a network of high tension wires/cables by which
the generated Electrical power is transmitted and distributed
throughout a region.

• Power System consists of the following main components:

❑Generation System- Energy Conversion Methods

❑Transmission System- Ultra-high, Extra-high, High and Medium

Voltage levels

❑Distribution System- Low voltage levels

❑The Load or Energy sink- Resistive, Capacitive and inductive

Electrical devices
13
Ethiopian Electric Power Network

14
 Ethiopia
• The electrical grid has two electric energy supply systems.
1. the Inter Connected System (ICS), which is the national grid
and
2. the Self Contained System (SCS), which are local grids.
• The capacity of EEU as of 2023 was 5200 MW.
❖ Currently, EEP is managing 22 power generating stations.
❖ Among them, 16 are from hydro, these are Gibe III (1870 M.W), Beles (460
M.W), Gilgel Gibe II (420 MW), Tekeze (300 MW), Gilgel Gibe I (184
MW), Melka Wakena (153 MW), Fincha (134 MW), Amarti Neshe (95
MW), Tis Abay II (73 MW), Koka (43.2 MW), Awash II (32 MW), Awash III
(32 MW), Tis Abay I (11.4 MW) Aba Samuel (6.6MW); Genale Dawa III
(254 MW) and the Grand Ethiopian Renaissance Dam (the two early
generation units of 750 MW) generate a total of 4818.2 MW from hydro.
❖ In terms of wind, Adama II (153 MW), Ashgoda (120 MW) and Adama I (51
MW), additionally Ayisha II have been partially completed and started
operation with the capacity of 80 MW. The rest is expected from steam
power and diesel reserves.
15
 Hydropower
Installed Total Dam height
Drainage Capacity factor Irrigation operational
ICS Power plant River capacity reservoir [m] Status Notes
Basin (2016/17) area [km2] since
(MWe) size [km3] run-of-river

Rehabilitation
Aba Samuel Akaki Afar Triangle 6.6 0.25 0.035 22[11] no 1932
1970 to 2016
Koka (Awash I) Awash Afar Triangle 43 0.23 1.9 47 no 1960
1966
Awash II+III Awash Afar Triangle 64 0.21 river run-of-river no
1971
Fincha Fincha Abbay 134 0.63 0.65 20 no 1973
Fincha Amerti Amerti /
Abbay 95 0.13 0.19 38 127 2011
Neshe (FAN) Neshe
cascade with Gilgel
Gilgel Gibe I[14] Gilgel Gibe Turkana Basin 184 0.43 0.92 40 no 2004
Gibe II
Gilgel Gibe / diversion cascade with Gilgel
Gilgel Gibe II[15] Turkana Basin 420 0.41 46.5 no 2010
Omo weir Gibe I
Gilgel Gibe III Omo Turkana Basin 1,870 0.30 14.7 243 no 2016 cascade with Koysha
under cascade with Gilgel Gibe
Koysha Omo Turkana Basin 2,160 (0.34) 6 179 no construction III
Melka Wakena Shebelle Shebelle 153 0.30 0.75 42 no 1989
Tana Beles Beles Nile 460 0.61 9.1 floodgates 1,400 2010
Tekeze Tekeze Nile 300 0.26 9.3 188 no 2010
1953
Tis Abay I+II Blue Nile Nile 84.4 0.015 river run-of-river no
2001
under
construction,
GERD Hidase Abbay Abbay (6,450) (0.28) 74 155 no
65% complete
(4/2018)
cascade with
Genale Dawa III Ganale Jubba 254 0 2.6 110 no 2017
Genale Dawa VI
project cascade with
Genale Dawa VI Ganale Jubba (257) (0.67) 0.18 39 270 implementation Genale Dawa III
46 project
Geba I+II Gebba Abbay (385) (0.52) 1.4 4,800 implementation
70
Total 13,320
16
Total operational 4,068
 Wind Farm
Installed Capacity factor Operational
Wind farm Location Turbines Notes
Capacity (MWe) (2016/17) since

Adama I Adama 51 0.30 34 2012

Adama II Adama 153 0.32 102 2015
Ashegoda Hintalo Wajirat 120 0.21 84 2013

under
Ayisha I Ayisha (120) (0.34) 80
construction
under
Ayisha II Ayisha (120) (0.41) 48 construction; Ayisha III
will follow

Total 564.18

Total operational 324,18

Solar Park

Installed
ICS Solar Capacity park size Operational
Location capacity Status Notes
park factor [km2] since
(MWac)
project
Metehara Metehara (100) (0.32) (2.5) 1st solar park
implementation

17
 Geothermic
Installed Capacity Thermal Operatio
ICS Power
Location capacity factor energy Wells nal Status Notes
plant
(MWe) (2016/17) (MWth) since
out-of-operation for most of
Aluto I Aluto Langano 7.3 0 80 4 1998 mothballed
the time

committed, in
Aluto II Aluto Langano (75) (0.8) 8
implementation

under
Tendaho I Dubti (10) (0.8) 6
construction

One concession of Corbetti I-

under construction
Corbetti I Shashamane (10) (0.8) 3-5 III with Tulu Moye I-IV (total
until 2020
~1020 MW)

One concession of Corbetti I-

committed, in
Corbetti II Shashamane (50) (0.8) 9-13 III with Tulu Moye I-IV (total
implementation
~1020 MW)

One concession of Corbetti I-

under construction
Tulu Moye I Arsi Zone (50) (0.90) III with Tulu Moye I-IV (total
until 2021
~1020 MW)

Total 202.3

Total
0
operational

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 Simple Thermal
Thermal Installed Max. net
Capacity
ICS Thermal Plant Location Fuel capacity capacity exports Notes
factor
(MWth) (MWe) (MWe)
Reppie waste-to- urban wastes,
Addis Ababa 110 50 25 0.845
energy plant biomass

Co-generation thermal
ICS Thermal Installed Own use Max. net exports Capacity
Location Fuel Status Notes
Plant capacity (MWe) (MWe) (MWe) factor

Adi Gudem construction start in

Adi Gudem gas (CCGT) (500) (135) (365) IPP with PPA
Industrial March 2019

Wonji-Shoa Sugar Adama bagasse 30 9 21

Metehara Sugar Metehara bagasse 9 9 0

Finchaa Sugar Fincha bagasse 30 18 12

Kessem Sugar Amibara bagasse 26 10 16

Tendaho Sugar Asaita bagasse 60 22 38

Omo Kuraz I Sugar Kuraz bagasse (45) (16) (29) under construction

Omo Kuraz II
Kuraz bagasse 60 20 40
Sugar
Omo Kuraz III
Kuraz bagasse 60 20 40
Sugar
Omo Kuraz V
Kuraz bagasse (120) (40) (80) under construction
Sugar
Total 647

Total operational 19 167

 Diesel
The list contains ICS power plants, with a sum of 98.8 MWe of installed capacity. They are
all powered by diesel fuel:
Capacity factor operational
ICS Power plant Location Capacity (MWe)
(2016/17) since
Dire Dawa (mu) Dire Dawa 3.6 0.002 1965
Dire Dawa Dire Dawa 40 0.00 2004
Adwa Adwa 3.0 0.00 1998
Axum Axum 3.2 0.00 1975
Awash 7 Kilo Awash 35 0.00 2003
Kaliti Addis Ababa 14 0.00 2003
Total operational 98.8

• Diesel power generation costs up to 10 times more than hydropower and is only used in
times of emergency or when no other option is available.
• In 2016/2017, the capacity factor was ~0.00, indicating that the power grid had enough
reserves and did not require power generation from expensive diesel. Essentially, all diesel
power plants were in stand-by mode only.

20
Sources of Energy

Electrical energy can be generated from the following resources

• The Sun
• The Wind
• Water
• Teresstrial Heat or Geothermal Energy
• Fuel
• Nuclear Energy
• Ocean Tides and Waves

21
1. The sun
• Sun is the primary source of Energy
• The energy which is radiated from the sun is in the form of
electromagnetic waves, which include the heat, light and a lot
of ultra – violet radiations.
• The radiated heat energy from the sun can be utilized for
genaration of Electrical Power.
2. Wind Power
• The Wind: Wind is a form of solar energy caused by a combination of three
concurrent events:
1. The sun unevenly heating the atmosphere
2. Irregularities of the earth's surface
3. The rotation of the earth.

• .

23
3. Hydropower
➢ The water of the oceans and water bodies on land are evaporated
by the energy of the sun’s heat and gets transported as clouds to
different parts of the earth.
➢ The clouds travelling over land and falling as rain on earth
produces flows in the rivers which returns back to the sea.

24
 Conti…
➢ The water of rivers and streams, while flowing down from places
of higher elevations to those with lower elevations, loose their
potential energy and gain kinetic energy.

➢ The energy is quite high in many rivers which have caused them
to etch/create their own path on the earth’s surface through
millions of years of continuous erosion.

➢ Hydropower engineering tries to tap this vast amount of energy

available in the flowing water on the earth’s surface and convert
that to electricity.

25
Cont.
❖ Hydropower engineering refers to the technology involved in
converting the pressure energy and kinetic energy of water into
more easily used electric energy.
❖ The prime mover in the case of hydropower is a water wheel
or hydraulic turbine which transforms the energy of the water
into mechanical energy.
❖ Earlier in the history of energy development and use, water
wheels provided power by direct connection or with pulley
and gear systems to drive various machines, such as grist mills
and textile mills.
❖ Since ancient times, water wheel is have been used for lifting
water from a lower to a higher elevation in irrigation systems.

26
Cont…

27
cont..
• Pressursized water or flowing with high velocity
can be used to run the turbines coupled to the
generator and therefore generating an Electric
Power
• When water is stored at a suitable place, it
possesses potential energy beacuse of the head
created. This water energy is converted in to
mechanical energy with the help of turbines.

28
Cont..

It is important to
note that when
determining head,
hydrologists take
into account the
pressure behind the
water. Water
behind the dam
puts pressure on
the falling water.

29
 Hydro Electric Power Generation
• A generating station which utilizes the potential energy of water at
a high level for the generation of electrical energy is known as a
hydro-electric power station
• The oldest and cheapest method of power generation is that of
utilizing the potential energy of water. The energy is obtained
almost free of running cost and is completely pollution free.
• But, its capital cost high, because of heavy civil engineering
construction work requires.
• It also requires a long development period of about five to eight
years as compared to four to six years for steam plants.
• Hydroelectric stations are designed, mostly, as multipurpose
projects such as river flood control, storage of irrigation and
drinking water, and navigation.

30
 Classification of Hydropower Plants
Based on hydraulic characteristics
1. Run-of-River Schemes
➢ Stream flow is directly used (no large storage dam)
➢ When there is minimum dry season stream flow
➢ Small pondage for regulation of flow rate may be
used
2. Storage Schemes:
✓ Large storage reservoirs constructed along the river
✓ The design flow rate is more certain for the storage
schemes than the run-of-river schemes.

31
Cont.…
3. Pumped Storage:
➢ Head water pond (upper reservoir) and tail water pond
(lower reservoir) are needed
➢ Reversible turbine pump (RTP) is operated in turbine or
pump mode
➢ Used in grid connected systems with thermal plants

32
 Cont.…
4. Tidal power development schemes
➢ During high tide, water flows from sea to bay and
during low tides water flows back from bay to sea.
➢ Two sets (or one bidirectional) of turbines are needed

33
Classification Based on Head of water

34
Cont.…

35
 How Water Generate Electricity?
• Controlled flowing water is the power source used to turn
a turbine. The turbine then turns a metal shaft in an electric
generator, which is the device that produces electricity.
• The dam stores lots of water behind it in the reservoir.
Near the bottom of the dam wall there is a water intake.
Gravity causes it to fall through the penstock inside the
dam. At the end of the penstock there is a turbine propeller,
which is turned by the moving water. The shaft from the
turbine goes up into the generator, which produces the
power. Power lines are connected to the generator that
carry electricity. The water continues after hiting the
turbine through the tailrace into the river with great force.
36
Parts of Hydroelectric Plant
1. hydraulic structures
i. Dam
ii. Spillways/intake
iii. Head works
iv. Surge tank
v. Penstocks
2. turbines and
3. electrical equipment(generators).
 Hydro Electric Power Generation

• The oldest and cheapest method of power generation is that of utilizing

the potential energy of water. The energy is obtained almost free of
running cost and is completely pollution free.
• Of course, it involves high capital cost because of heavy civil
engineering construction work requires.
• It also requires a long gestation period of about five to eight years as
compared to four to six years for steam plants.
• Hydroelectric stations are designed, mostly, as multipurpose projects
such as river flood control, storage of irrigation and drinking water, and
navigation.
• The vertical difference between the upper reservoir and tail race is
called the head.

The vertical difference between the upper reservoir and tail race is
called the head. 38
 Hydraulic structures
1. Dam:-A dam is a barrier which stores water and creates water
head. Dams are built of concrete or stone masonary, earth or rock
fill. The type and arrangement depends upon the topography of
the site.
– A masonry dam may be built in a narrow canyon.
– An earth dam may be best suited for a wide valley.
– The type of dam also depends upon the foundation conditions, local materials and
transportation available, occurrence of earthquakes and other hazards. At most of
sites, more than one type of dam may be suitable and the one which is most
economical is chosen.

Masonry Dam
 Hydraulic structures
2. Spillways. There are times when the river flow exceeds the storage
capacity of the reservoir. Such a situation arises during heavy rainfall
in the catchment area. In order to discharge the surplus water from
the storage reservoir into the river on the down-stream side of the
dam, spillways are used.
❑ Spillways are constructed of concrete piers on the top of the dam. Gates are provided
between these piers and surplus water is discharged over the crest of the dam by
opening these gates.
 Cont..
3. Head works.
– The head works consists of the diversion structures at the head of an intake.
– They generally include booms, sediments and valves for controlling the flow of
water to the turbine. Booms' is a catch-all term for a wide range
of barriers that prevent the distribution of a
number of materials and substances, which
may be harmful and/or damaging, one kind
of which are debris booms.

– The flow of water into and through head works should be as smooth as possible
to avoid head loss and cavitation. For this purpose, it is necessary to avoid
sharp corners and abrupt contractions or enlargements.
4. Surge tank
– Open conduits leading water to the turbine require no protection. However,
when closed conduits are used, protection becomes necessary to limit the
abnormal pressure in the conduit. For this reason, closed conduits are always
Provided with a surge tank.
– A surge tank is a small reservoir or tank (open at the top) in which water level
rises or falls to reduce the pressure swings in the conduit.
– A surge tank is located near the beginning of the conduit.
 Cont..
• When the turbine is running at a steady load, there are no surges in the flow of
water through the conduit i.e., the quantity of water flowing in the conduit is just
sufficient to meet the turbine requirements. However, when the load on the
turbine decreases, the governor closes the gates of turbine, reducing water supply
to the turbine. The excess water at the lower end of the conduit rushes back to the
surge tank and increases its water level. Thus the conduit is prevented from
bursting.
 5. Penstocks
• Penstocks are open or closed conduits which carry water to the
turbines.
• They are generally made of reinforced concrete or steel.
• Concrete penstocks are suitable for low heads (< 30 m) as greater
pressure causes rapid deterioration of concrete.
• The steel penstocks can be designed for any head; the thickness of
the penstock increases with the head or working pressure.

43
 6. Water turbines.
• Water turbines are used to convert the energy of falling water into mechanical
energy.
• The principal types of water turbines are :
(i) Impulse turbines
(ii) Reaction turbines
1. Impulse turbines.
– Such turbines are used for high heads.
– In an impulse turbine, the entire pressure of water is converted into kinetic
energy in a nozzle and the velocity of the jet drives the wheel. The example
of this type of turbine is the Pelton wheel.

44
 Cont..
• It consists of a wheel fitted with elliptical buckets along
its periphery. The force of water jet striking the buckets
on the wheel drives the turbine.
• The quantity of water jet falling on the turbine is
controlled by means of a needle or spear placed in the tip
of the nozzle.
• The movement of the needle is controlled by the
governor. If the load on the turbine decreases, the
governor pushes the needle into the nozzle, thereby
reducing the quantity of water striking the buckets.
Reverse action takes place if the load on the turbine
increases.
45
46
 Reaction turbines.
• Reaction turbines are used for low and medium heads.
• In a reaction turbine, water enters the runner partly with pressure
energy and partly with velocity head. The important types of
reaction turbines are :
(a) Francis turbines
(b) Kaplan turbines
• A Francis turbine is used for low to medium heads.
• It consists of an outer ring of stationary guide blades fixed to the
turbine casing and an inner ring of rotating blades forming the
runner. The guide blades control the flow of water to the turbine.
Water flows radially inwards and changes to a downward direction
while passing through the runner. As the water passes over the
“rotating blades” of the runner, both pressure and velocity of water
are reduced. This causes a reaction force which drives the turbine.
47
Cont..

48
 Cont..
• A Kaplan turbine is used for low heads and large
quantities of water. It is similar to Francis turbine except
that the runner of Kaplan turbine receives water axially.

49
electrical equipment

50
Cont..

51
 Generators in power stations are very, very big
Huge generators need
huge amounts of energy.
The electric current carries
the energy to where it is
needed.

• In a large generator, electromagnets are made by circulating direct

electrical current through loops of wire wound around stacks of
magnetic steel laminations. These are called field poles, and are
mounted on the perimeter of the rotor. The rotor is attached to the
turbine shaft, and rotates at a fixed speed. When the rotor turns, it
causes the field poles (the electromagnets) to move past the
conductors mounted in the stator, or the wall. This, in turn, causes
electricity to flow and a voltage to develop at the generator output
terminals.
52
 Selection of Plant Capacity, Energy, and Other Design Features

• The generating capacity of a hydroelectric plant is a function of the

head and flow rate of water discharged through the hydraulic
turbines, as shown
P = 9.8 η Q H
• where P = power (kilowatts) η = plant efficiency Q = discharge
flow rate (meter3/s) and H = head (meter)
• Flow rate and head are influenced by reservoir inflow, storage
characteristics, plant and equipment design features, and flow
restrictions imposed by irrigation, minimum downstream releases,
or flood control requirements.
• Historical daily, seasonal, maximum (flood), and minimum
(drought) flow conditions are carefully studied in the planning
stages of a new development.
53
 Advantages
• Renewable Energy
• Clean Energy Source
• Domestic Energy
Source
• Generally Available
As Needed
• Provides Recreational
Opportunities
• Water Supply and
Flood Control
Hydropower Station..
• Disadvantages
1. It involves high capital cost due to construction of
dam.
2. There is uncertainty about the availability of huge
amount of water due to dependence on weather
conditions.
3. It requires high cost of transmission lines as the
plant is located in hilly areas which are quite
away from the consumers
4. Skilled and experienced hands are required to
build the plant.
 Choice of Site for Hydro-electric Power Stations

• Availability of water
• Storage of water
• Cost and type of land
• Transportation facilities
• Yield Factor:
– The total rainfall cannot be utilized as a part
of it is lost by evaporation or absorption by
ground. Yield factor indicates the percentage
of rainfall available for utilization. Thus 80%
yield factor means that only 80% of total
rainfall can be utilized.
 v) Teresstrial Heat or Geothermal Energy
• The earth has a molten core. During volcanic action, the
materials that comes out from the bowls of earth to form
volcanic explusions also produces steam vents and hot
springs.

57
 vi. Steam from the Earth
It is hot
inside the Earth 5000 C

- giving energy 70000 C

to generate
electricity.

In some countries there

are hot rocks close to the
surface of the Earth.
58
 Geothermal Energy

Utilizes the Earth’s inner heated rocks to heat water that

reaches these areas through seismic faults. This water is turned
to steam then captured to operate steam-powered generators.

59
Cont..
vii) Ocean Tides and Waves
• There is a lot of energy in ocean tides and waves
but it is very difficult to collect it.

60
 Cont..
• Tidal electricity generation
involves the construction of
a barrage across an estuary
to block the incoming and
outgoing tide. The head of
water is then used to drive
turbines to generate
electricity from the elevated
water in the basin as in
hydroelectric dams.

61
 Generating Stations
• The electrical energy produced by the generating station is
transmitted and distributed with the help of conductors to various
consumers.
• A part from prime mover-alternator combination, a modern
generating station employs several auxiliary equipment and
instruments to ensure cheap, reliable and continuous service.
• Depending upon the form of energy converted into electrical
energy, the generating stations are classified as under :
(i) Steam/Thermal power stations
(ii) Hydroelectric power stations
(iii) Diesel power stations
(iv) Nuclear power stations

62
1. Thermal Power Stations-Steam/Gas-based

63
Thermal Power stations
Steam Power Station
• A generating station which converts heat energy of coal
combustion into electrical energy is known as Steam
power station.
• In thermal generating stations, the heat of combustion
of coal is utilized by the boilers to produce a steam at a
high pressure and temperature and it is used in driving
steam turbines.
• Steam power station arrangement Division
1. Coal and ash handling arrangement
2. Feed water
3. Steam generating plant
4. Steam turbine
5. Alternator
6. Cooling arrangement
64
Schematic arrangement of steam power station

65
Thermal Power Stations-Steam/Gas-based

66
 Gas Station/Turbines
• A generating station which employs gas turbine as the prime mover
for the generation of electrical energy is known as a gas turbine
power plant.
• In a gas turbine power plant, air is used as the working fluid. The
air is compressed by the compressor and is led to the combustion
chamber where heat is added to air, thus raising its temperature.
• The hot and high pressure air from the combustion chamber is then
passed to the gas turbine where it expands and does the mechanical
work.
• The gas turbine drives the alternator which converts mechanical
energy into electrical energy.
• Additional advantage of gas station is that exhaust gas from the
turbine still has sufficient heat content, which is used to raise steam
to run a conventional steam turbine coupled to a generator.
• This is called combined-cycle gas-turbine (CCGT) plant
67
Gas Station/Turbines

68
69
70
 Steam Power Station
• Advantages
1. The fuel (i.e, coal) is cheap
2. Less initial cost as compared to the other power
stations
3. Less space is required in coparison with that of
hydro- electric power station
4. The cost of generation is lesser than that of the
diesel power station.
5. It can be installed at any place irrespective of the
existence of coal. The coal can be transported to
the site of the plant by rail or road.

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Cont..
• Disadvantages
1. High running cost in comparison with that of hydro-
electric power station
2. It pollutes the atmosphere due to the production of
large amount of smoke and fumes
• Factors considered in site selection
1. Nearness to the Load Centre
2. Supply of water
3. Avialabilty of coal
4. Land
5. Transportation facilities
6. Labour Supplies
7. Ash Disposal
8. Distance from populated area

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 2. Nuclear Power Station
A generating station in which nuclear energy is
converted into electrical energy is known as a
nuclear power station.

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Nuclear power
• Nuclear Energy is very large amount of heat energy is found
from nuclear energy. It is estimated that 1 kg of nuclear fuel is
equivalent to about 2500 tones of coal.

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 Schematic Arrangement of Nuclear Power Station
The schematic arrangement of a nuclear power station is shown below.
The whole arrangement can be divided into the following main stages :
(i) Nuclear reactor
(ii) Heat exchanger
(iii) Steam turbine
(iv) Alternator.

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 Nuclear Power Station
Nuclear Power Stations with the end of coal reserves in
sight in the not too distant future, the immediate practical
alternative source of large scale electric energy generation
is nuclear energy.

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 Schematic Arrangement of Nuclear Power Station
1. Nuclear reactor: It is an apparatus in which nuclear fuel (Uranium) is subjected to
nuclear fission.
2. Heat exchanger: The coolant gives up heat to the heat exchanger which is utilised
in raising the steam. After giving up heat, the coolant is again fed to the reactor.
3. Steam turbine: The steam produced in the heat exchanger is led to the steam
turbine through a valve. After doing a useful work in the turbine the steam is
exhausted to condenser.
4. Alternator: The steam turbine drives the
alternator which converts mechanical
energy into electrical energy.
• The output from the alternator is
delivered to the bus-bars through
transformer, circuit breakers and isolators.
Fission: is The breaking up of nuclei of heavy
atoms into two nearly equal parts with
release of huge amount of energy is known
as nuclear fission.
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 Nuclear Power Station Advantages
• The amount of fuel required is quite small. Therefore, there is a
considerable saving in the cost of fuel transportation.
• A nuclear power plant requires less space as compared to any other
type of the same size.
• It has low running charges as a small amount of fuel is used for
producing bulk electrical energy.
• This type of plant is very economical for producing bulk electric
power.
• It can be located near the load centers because it does not require
large quantities of water and need not be near coal mines.
Therefore, the cost of primary distribution is reduced.
• There are large deposits of nuclear fuels available all over the world.
Therefore, such plants can ensure continued supply of electrical
energy for thousands of years.
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• It ensures reliability of operation.
 Disadvantages
• The fuel used is expensive and is difficult to recover.
• The capital cost on a nuclear plant is very high as compared to
other types of plants.
• The erection and commissioning of the plant requires greater
technical know-how.
• The fission by-products are generally radioactive and may cause a
dangerous amount of radioactive pollution.
• Maintenance charges are high. Moreover, high salaries of specially
trained personnel employed to handle the plant further raise the
cost.
• Nuclear power plants are not well suited for varying loads as the
reactor does not respond to the load fluctuations efficiently.
• The disposal of the by-products, which are radioactive, is a big
problem. They have either to be disposed off in a deep trench or in
a sea away from sea-shore.
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 3. Diesel Generator
• A generating station in which diesel engine is used as
the prime mover for the generation of electrical energy
is known as diesel power station.
• In a diesel power station, diesel engine is used as the
prime mover. The diesel burns inside the engine and the
products of this combustion act as the “working fluid”
to produce mechanical energy.
• The diesel engine drives the alternator which converts
mechanical energy into electrical energy. As the
generation cost is considerable due to high price of
diesel, therefore, such power stations are only used to
produce small power.

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81
 Schematic Diagram of Diesel Power Plant
• A generating station in which diesel engine is used as
the prime mover for the generation of electrical energy
is known as diesel power station.
• In a diesel power station, diesel engine is used as the
prime mover. The diesel burns inside the engine and the
products of this combustion act as the “working fluid”
to produce mechanical energy.
• The diesel engine drives the alternator which converts
mechanical energy into electrical energy. As the
generation cost is considerable due to high price of
diesel, therefore, such power stations are only used to
produce small power.

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 Schematic Diagram of Diesel Power Plant
(i) Fuel supply system.
It consists of storage tank, strainers, fuel transfer pump and all day
fuel tank. The oil is stored in the storage tank. From the storage tank,
oil is pumped to smaller all day tank at daily or short intervals. From
this tank, fuel oil is passed through strainers to remove suspended
impurities. The clean oil is injected into the engine by fuel injection
pump.
(ii) Air intake system.
This system supplies necessary air to the engine for fuel combustion.
It consists of pipes for the supply of fresh air to the engine manifold.
Filters are provided to remove dust particles from air.

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 Schematic Diagram of Diesel Power Plant
(iii) Exhaust system.
This system leads the engine exhaust gas outside the building and discharges
it into atmosphere. A silencer is usually incorporated in the system to reduce
the noise level.
(iv) Cooling system.
• The heat released by the burning of fuel in the engine cylinder is partially
converted into work. The remainder part of the heat passes through the
cylinder walls, piston, rings etc. and may cause damage to the system. In
order to keep the temperature of the engine parts within the safe operating
limits, cooling is provided.
• The cooling system consists of a water source, pump and cooling towers.
The pump circulates water through cylinder and head jacket.
• The hot water is cooled by cooling towers and is recirculated for cooling.

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 Schematic Diagram of Diesel Power Plant
(v) Lubricating system.
• This system minimizes the wear of rubbing surfaces of the
engine. It comprises of lubricating oil tank, pump, filter and
oil cooler.
• The lubricating oil is drawn from the lubricating oil tank by
the pump and is passed through filters to remove impurities.
(vi) Engine starting system.
• This is an arrangement to rotate the engine initially, while
starting, until firing starts and the unit runs with its own power.
• Small sets are started manually by handles but for larger units,
compressed air is used for starting.

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 Comparison of Sources of Power
• While selecting a method of generating electricity, following factors are taken into
account for purposes of comparison:
(a) Initial cost: For a given rating of a unit (in the minds of planners), investment must
be known. Naturally, lower the initial cost, better it is.
(b) Running Cost:- To produce a given amount of electrical energy, the cost of
conversion process (including proportional cost of maintenance/repairs of the system)
has to be known.
(c) Limitations:- Whether a particular resource is available, whether a unit size of
required rating is available from a single unit or from an array of large number of units,
and whether a particular method of generation is techno-economically viable and is
time-proven, are typical queries related to the limitations of the concerned method.
(d) (1) perpetuity, (2) efficiency, (3) reliability, (4) cleanliness and
(5) simplicity.
It is naturally desirable that the source must have perpetuity (= be of endless duration),
high conversion efficiency, and reliability (in terms of availability in appropriate
quantity). The energy conversion must be through a cleaner process (specially from the
view- points of toxicity, pollution or any other hazardous side effects). Further, a simpler
overall system is always preferred with regards to maintenance/repairs problems and is
supposed to be more reliable.
Comparison of Sources of Power