EX-503 A Electrical Power Generation & Economy Notes PDF

**Notes** **EX- 503 (A) Electrical Power Generation & Economy** **Unit-I Introduction: Energy sources and their availability, Principle types of power plants, their special features and applications, Present status and future trends. Hydro Electric Power Plants: Essentials, Classifications, Hydroe...

**Notes** **EX- 503 (A) Electrical Power Generation & Economy** **Unit-I Introduction: Energy sources and their availability, Principle types of power plants, their special features and applications, Present status and future trends. Hydro Electric Power Plants: Essentials, Classifications, Hydroelectric survey, Rainfall run-off, Hydrograph, Flow duration curve, Mass curve, Storage capacity, Site selection, Plant layout, various components, Types of turbines, Governor and speed regulation, Pumped storage, Small scale hydroelectric plants (mini and micro).** **REFERENCE BOOKS** 1. Deshpande, M.V., Power Plant Engineering, Tata McGraw Hill (2004). 2. Gupta, B.R., Generation of Electrical Energy, S. Chand (1998). 3. Deshpande, M.V., Electrical Power System Design, McGraw Hill (2004). Wood, A.J. and Wollenberg, B.F., Power Generation and Control, John Wiley (2004). **Topic: 1** **Introduction: Energy sources and their availability** The sun is the main source of energy on Earth. Other energy sources include coal, geothermal energy, wind energy, biomass, petrol, nuclear energy, and many more. Energy is classified into various types based on sustainability as renewable sources of energy and non-renewable sources of energy. **What Is Energy?** ------------------- The classical description of energy is the ability of a system to perform work, but as energy exists in so many forms, it is hard to find one comprehensive definition. It is the property of an object that can be transferred from one object to another or converted to different forms but cannot be created or destroyed. There are numerous sources of energy. In the next few sections, let us discuss the about different sources of energy in detail. Sources Of Energy ----------------- Sources of energy can be classified into: - - Renewable sources of energy are available plentiful in nature and are sustainable. These resources of energy can be naturally replenished and are safe for the environment. **Examples of renewable sources of energy are**: Solar energy, geothermal energy, wind energy, biomass, hydropower and tidal energy. A [non-renewable resource](https://byjus.com/physics/non-renewable-energy/) is a natural resource that is found underneath the earth. These type of energy resources do not replenish at the same speed at which it is used. They take millions of years to replenish. The main examples of non-renewable resources are coal, oil and natural gas. **Examples of non-renewable sources of energy are:** Natural gas, coal, petroleum, nuclear energy and hydrocarbon gas liquids. **Difference between Renewable and Non-renewable Sources of Energy** -------------------------------------------------------------------- -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Renewable** **Non-renewable** The resources that can be renewed once they are consumed are called renewable sources of energy. The resources that cannot be renewed once they are consumed are called non-renewable sources of energy. These resources do not cause any environmental pollution. These resources cause environmental pollution.**.** Renewable resources are inexhaustible. Non- Renewable resources are exhaustible. Renewable resources are not affected by human activities. Non- Renewable resources are affected by human activities. Examples of Renewable resources- Air, water and solar energy. Examples of Non-renewable resources- natural gas, coal and nuclear energy. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- --------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Natural Sources of Energy** ----------------------------- During the stone age, it was wood. During the iron age, we had coal. In the modern age, we have [fossil fuels](https://byjus.com/physics/fossil-fuels-coal-petroleum/) like petroleum and natural gas. So how do we choose the source of energy? #### **Good sources of energy should have the following qualities:** - - - - ### **Types of Natural Sources of Energy** There are two types of natural sources of energy classified by their popularity and use, - - ### **Difference between Conventional and Non-conventional Sources of Energy** ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- ** Conventional** ** Non-conventional** These resources are exhaustible. These resources are inexhaustible. These resources cause pollution as they emit smoke and ash. These resources are usually pollution-free. These resources are very expensive to be maintained, stored and transmitted. These resources are less expensive for local use and can easily be maintained. Examples- coal, natural gas, petroleum, and water power. Examples- solar, biomass, wind, biogas, and tidal, geothermal. ------------------------------------------------------------------------------ -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- **Topic: 2 & 3** **1. Thermal Power Plants** Types: Coal, Oil, Gas \- Special Features: \- Operates by burning fossil fuels to produce steam that drives turbines to generate electricity. \- High capacity and reliability for continuous power generation. \- Applications: \- Widely used in baseload power generation. \- Common in countries with abundant fossil fuel resources. \- Present Status: \- Dominates global electricity generation (especially coal). \- High carbon emissions, contributing significantly to environmental pollution. \- Future Trends: \- Declining share due to environmental concerns. \- Focus on improving efficiency (e.g., ultra-supercritical technology). \- Gradual phase-out in favor of renewable energy.  **2. Hydroelectric Power Plants** \- Special Features: \- Converts the kinetic energy of falling water into electricity using turbines. \- High efficiency and reliability, no direct emissions. \- Can serve as a large-scale energy storage (pumped storage systems). \- Applications: \- Suitable for regions with large water bodies and rivers. \- Used for both baseload and peak load balancing. \- Present Status: \- Accounts for a significant portion of renewable energy globally. \- Limited by geographical and environmental constraints. \- Future Trends: \- Development of small and micro-hydro projects. \- Integration with smart grids and hybrid systems (e.g., combining with solar). IMG\_256 **3. Nuclear Power Plants** \- Special Features: \- Generates electricity through nuclear fission in reactors. \- Low greenhouse gas emissions compared to fossil fuels. \- High energy density and long-term fuel availability (uranium/plutonium). \- Applications: \- Baseload power generation. \- Reliable for regions seeking energy independence. \- Present Status: \- Stable capacity in many developed countries. \- Concerns over nuclear waste, safety, and high upfront costs. \- Future Trends: \- Growth of small modular reactors (SMRs) for safer, decentralized power. \- Research into nuclear fusion for long-term sustainability.  **4. Solar Power Plants** \- Special Features: \- Converts sunlight directly into electricity using photovoltaic (PV) cells or concentrated solar power (CSP) systems. \- Zero emissions during operation. \- Applications: \- Suitable for distributed generation, rooftop installations, and utility-scale solar farms. \- Effective in regions with high solar irradiance. \- Present Status: \- Rapid growth in capacity, becoming increasingly cost-competitive. \- Intermittency issues addressed through battery storage. \- Future Trends: \- Development of more efficient PV technologies (e.g., perovskite cells). \- Increased integration with grid storage solutions and hybrid systems. **5. Wind Power Plants** \- Special Features: \- Converts the kinetic energy of wind into electricity using wind turbines. \- Low environmental impact, though wind variability is a challenge. \- Applications: \- Suitable for onshore and offshore installations. \- Increasingly used in hybrid renewable systems. \- Present Status: \- Significant growth in offshore wind farms. \- High penetration in countries with favorable wind conditions (e.g., Europe, USA, China). \- Future Trends: \- Advancements in turbine design for increased efficiency. \- Development of floating wind farms for deep-sea deployment.  **6. Geothermal Power Plants** \- Special Features: \- Utilizes heat from the Earth's interior to generate electricity. \- Reliable and continuous power generation. \- Low emissions and small land footprint. \- Applications: \- Suitable for regions with significant geothermal activity (e.g., volcanic areas). \- Used for both electricity and direct heating applications. \- Present Status: \- Limited to specific geographic regions. \- Increasing focus on enhanced geothermal systems (EGS). \- Future Trends: \- Research into expanding geothermal potential beyond traditional regions. \- Integration with carbon capture and storage technologies. **7. Biomass Power Plants** \- Special Features: \- Converts organic materials (e.g., agricultural waste, wood) into electricity. \- Carbon-neutral when managed sustainably. \- Applications: \- Used in rural areas and for waste-to-energy projects. \- Supports energy diversification in regions with abundant biomass. \- Present Status: \- Growing role in renewable energy portfolios, but limited by feedstock availability. \- Co-firing with coal in existing power plants to reduce emissions. \- Future Trends: \- Advances in biomass gasification and bioenergy with carbon capture (BECCS). \- Increasing use of waste-to-energy technologies.  **8. Fuel Cell Power Plants** \- Special Features: \- Generates electricity through a chemical reaction between hydrogen and oxygen in fuel cells. \- Clean energy with water as a by-product. \- Applications: \- Distributed power generation and backup power systems. \- Emerging in transportation (e.g., hydrogen fuel cell vehicles). \- Present Status: \- High costs and infrastructure challenges limiting large-scale adoption. \- Primarily used in niche applications. \- Future Trends: \- Expected growth with advancements in hydrogen production (e.g., green hydrogen). \- Integration with renewable energy systems for clean hydrogen production. IMG\_256 **Topic No. 4** **Essentials of Hydro Electric Power Plants:**  **1. Water Source:** Hydroelectric power plants rely on a continuous water source like rivers, streams, or lakes. The flow and volume of water are critical for the operation. Higher water availability during rainy seasons often leads to higher power generation, while drought periods may reduce output. **2. Dam and Reservoir:** \- Dams are used to store water at an elevated position to create potential energy, which is converted into electricity when released. \- Reservoirs hold vast amounts of water, ensuring a steady supply. They also help in flood control, irrigation, and recreation. \- Reservoirs provide energy storage for long periods, and electricity generation can be controlled to match demand. **3. Penstock:** This is a pipe or conduit that delivers water from the reservoir to the turbines at high pressure. The penstock\'s design, material, and diameter are crucial, as they affect the flow rate and pressure of water. **4. Turbine:** \- The turbine is a mechanical device driven by water to convert kinetic energy into rotational mechanical energy. \- There are different types of turbines, including Pelton (impulse turbines), Francis (reaction turbines), and Kaplan turbines, each suitable for different water flow rates and heads (height of water). **5. Generator:** Connected to the turbine, the generator transforms the mechanical energy from the rotating turbine into electrical energy. This electricity is then transmitted via transformers to the grid. **6. Control Mechanisms and Valves:** Modern hydroelectric plants use automated control systems for monitoring water levels, flow, and generation. Valves control the water flow to the turbines, ensuring the system operates efficiently and safely. **7. Tailrace:** After passing through the turbine, water is discharged into a downstream river or channel through a tailrace, completing the cycle without consuming the water, making it a renewable and sustainable resource. **8. Environmental and Social Impacts:** \- Advantages: Hydropower is renewable, produces no direct emissions, and can contribute to energy storage and grid stability. \- Challenges: Large hydroelectric projects can have environmental effects such as habitat disruption, fish migration interference, and potential displacement of local communities due to flooding. \-\-- **Classifications of Hydro Electric Power Plants:** **1. Based on Capacity:** \- Large Hydro Power Plants (Above 100 MW): \- These plants supply power on a large scale and often integrate with national or regional grids. They are typically located near large rivers or dams. \- Example: Three Gorges Dam (China), the world's largest hydroelectric plant with a capacity of 22,500 MW. \- Medium Hydro Power Plants (10 MW -- 100 MW): \- These plants cater to regional or local grids, often in rural areas or regions with moderate electricity needs. \- Small Hydro Power Plants (1 MW -- 10 MW): \- Commonly used in remote areas, small hydro is often integrated into local energy systems, providing power where grid connection is difficult. \- Mini and Micro Hydro Power Plants (Below 1 MW): \- Mini and micro plants are ideal for off-grid applications in isolated regions, such as small communities, rural industries, or farms. Micro hydro plants can often power individual homes or businesses. **2. Based on Water Flow:** \- Run-of-the-River Plants: \- These plants do not store water but use the natural flow of the river to generate electricity. They are highly dependent on the river\'s flow rate, making them susceptible to seasonal variations. \- Environmental impacts are generally lower than storage-based systems, but generation is less flexible in meeting peak demands. \- Storage or Reservoir-Based Plants: \- These plants store large quantities of water in reservoirs and release it based on demand. They offer more control over energy production, can store energy during low demand, and release it during high demand. \- Examples include the Hoover Dam (USA) and Itaipu Dam (Brazil/Paraguay). \- Pumped Storage Plants: \- These plants are used to store energy for peak load demands. During low-demand periods, electricity from the grid is used to pump water uphill to a higher reservoir. During peak demand, the stored water is released to generate electricity. \- They are often referred to as "batteries" of the electrical grid due to their ability to store and release energy as needed. **3. Based on Head (Height of Water Fall):** \- Low-Head Plants (Below 30 meters): \- These plants operate with low vertical distance between the reservoir and the turbines, using large volumes of water to generate power. They are often found in flatter regions with slower flowing rivers. \- Medium-Head Plants (30 -- 300 meters): \- Medium-head plants balance the need for water flow and height, making them flexible in many locations, including hilly terrains. \- High-Head Plants (Above 300 meters): \- These plants require steep terrains, where water drops from a great height, generating significant energy even with smaller water flow volumes. \- Example: Grand Coulee Dam (USA). **4. Based on Purpose:** \- Base Load Power Plants: \- These plants operate continuously and provide a steady output of electricity, meeting the basic demand of the grid. \- Peaking Power Plants: \- These plants are designed to operate during peak demand periods, providing additional power to the grid when required. \- Multipurpose Plants: \- Some hydroelectric plants serve multiple purposes, such as irrigation, flood control, water supply, and recreation, along with power generation.