EE4C01-Electrical Power Generation and Transmission

MODULE 1: Introduction to sources of power generation

Module 1
Introduction to sources of power generation:
• General arrangement layout of power plants (only block diagram approach)
• Peak load and base load plants
• Cogeneration
• Combined Heat and Power (CHP)
• Distributed Generation
Economic aspects of power generation:
• IS/IEC Codes and specification requirements regarding Generation
• System terminologies
• Diversity factor, Load factor, Plant capacity factor, Plant utilization factor, Loss
factor and Load duration curves
• Economics of Power Factor improvement methods
• Tariff
Load/Demand
• Any electrical equipment which consumes electrical energy
• Examples: Light, fan, television, motors, etc.
• All electrical loads are connected to power station
Variable Load on Power Station

• The load on a power station varies from time to time due to uncertain demands of
the consumers and is known as variable load on the station.

Effects of variable load

Need of additional equipment

Increase in production cost
Load Curves

• The curve showing the variation of load on the power station with respect to
(w.r.t) time is known as a load curve.

Daily, Weekly, Monthly & Yearly load curves

Importance of load curve
Load Duration Curves

• When the load elements of a load curve are arranged in the order of descending
magnitudes, the curve thus obtained is called a load duration curve.
Types of Loads

• Domestic load

• Commercial load

• Industrial load (Small, medium & large scale)

• Municipal load

• Irrigation load

• Traction load
Load Curves and Selection of Generating Units

• The number and size of the units are selected in such a way that they correctly fit
the station load curve.
Important Points in the Selection of Units

• The number and sizes of the units should be so selected that they approximately
fit the annual load curve of the station.

• The units should be preferably of different capacities to meet the load

requirements. Although use of identical units (i.e., having same capacity) ensures
saving in cost, they often do not meet the load requirement.

• The capacity of the plant should be made 15% to 20% more than the maximum
demand to meet the future load requirements.

• There should be a spare generating unit so that repairs and overhauling of the
working units can be carried out.

• The tendency to select a large number of units of smaller capacity in order to fit
the load curve very accurately should be avoided. It is because the investment
cost per kW of capacity increases as the size of the units decreases.
Base Load and Peak Load on Power Station

• Base load. The unvarying load which occurs almost the whole day on the station
• Peak load. The various peak demands of load over and above the base load of
the station
Method of Meeting the Load

• The best method to meet load is to interconnect two different power stations
• The more efficient plant is used to supply the base load and is known as base
load power station.
• The less efficient plant is used to supply the peak loads and is known as peak
load power station.

• Interconnected Grid System – Self study

Cogeneration

• Process of capturing waste heat from manufacturing

• Generated power will be used for own purpose as well as sold outside
• Improves the system efficiency

• Topping cycle: Input is used for power generation first & exhaust heat
from the prime mover is used to generate steam or used for heating
process.
• Bottoming cycle: Wasted heat is used for power generation (eg: furnace)
• Advantages: cost savings, reduction in emissions, reduced fuel
consumption.
• Eg: Sugar and rice mills, distilleries, petro-chemical sector, industries
such as fertilizers, steel, cement, paper and aluminium.
Combined Heat & Power (CHP)
• Used in cold countries
• Heat is used for both power generation & waste heat is used for heating
the building.
Distributed generation
• Using small generating units near the load centers based on the
availability of resources
• Advantages: Standby power, combined heat & power, peak shaving, grid
support, stand-alone.
• Technologies: reciprocating engines (IC engines with natural gas),
combustion turbines, microturbines, fuel cells, photovoltaics