Electric Power Generation Stations in Egypt

Name: Hayam Reda Sayed Ali

B.N: 89

1.Hydroelectric stations
1.1 Process
The generation method depends on converting the potential energy of water into kinetic
energy first, where the water falls from above to run a turbine , which in turn runs an electrical
generator and produces electrical energy for us . The amount of energy produced depends on
the amount of water passing per second and the height of the water. The greater the rate of the
amount of water passing through the turbine, the greater the energy produced, and the greater
the height of the water, the greater the energy produced as well. The proportionality factor is the
acceleration of gravity , as we will see here:

To generate electricity from water potential energy, the following is required:

. A dam is built on a stream, and the water is blocked behind it to form a high artificial lake with
a large water capacity. The potential energy in that large tank depends on the amount of water it
contains (and therefore its mass), the height of the water level, and Earth’s gravity , according to
the mathematical equation :

Potential energy = mass x gravity x height

. When the water outlet in the dam is opened, water flows under the influence of gravity, and the
potential energy in the water is transformed into kinetic energy. If we ignore the resistance of the
water flow pipe during its movement to the turbine, it can be said that the potential energy of the
water is almost completely transformed into kinetic energy that drives the turbine.

.The turbine, in turn, drives the electricity generator in the generating plant and creates electrical
current.

. The efficiency of this process depends on the efficiency of rotating the turbines, and the
amount of energy wasted by friction during rotation.

. In an electric generator, the mechanical rotating energy is transformed by the

high magnetic field in it into generating electrical energy by magnetic induction, just as in the
generator of a bicycle (sometimes called a “dynamo”) .

. Finally, the generated electrical energy is transferred to the feeding network at high voltage
to reduce waste caused by electrical resistance in the wires.
1.2 Some of hydroelectrical stations

- Aswan reservoir station with a capacity of (340 MW).

- High Dam station with a capacity of (2100 MW) in Aswan governorate.

- Aswan Reservoir Station (2) with a capacity of (270MW).

- Naga Hammadi station with a capacity of (64 MW) in Qena governorate.

2. Natural gas station

2.1. Process

Gas power stations work on the principle of mixing compressed air with gaseous fuel
(natural gas) in internal combustion engines, and converting the heat resulting from
combustion into kinetic energy used to operate the electric generator.

The stages of operation of gas electricity generation plants are summarized in the
following points:

. Fuel processing: Natural gas is purified from impurities and other materials and stored in
special tanks.

. Combustion process: Compressed air is mixed with gaseous fuel in internal combustion
chambers to produce high heat.

. Thermal cycle: In which the heat resulting from combustion produces high pressure in
internal combustion engines, then these gases enter the turbine, where they expand inside
the turbine and begin to rotate ( i.e. produce kinetic energy).

. Operating the generator: The kinetic (mechanical) energy resulting from the rotation of the
turbine and the electric generator is used to produce electrical energy.

. Transmission of the produced electrical energy: After generating electricity by the

generator, the produced electrical energy is transmitted through the electrical network to
consumers.
2.2 Some of Natural Gas stations

- New Capital station with a capacity of (4800MW).

- Burullus station with a capacity of (4800MW) in Kafr El-shekh governorate.

- Ghayada station with a capacity of(4800MW) in Beni Suef governorate.

3.Nuclear station
3.1. Process
The chain reaction inside the reactor vessel produces tremendous heat that heats the water to a
very high temperature. However, this water is unable to boil due to the high pressure in the
system. .Instead, this hot, pressurized water flows through thousands of annular tubes, while a second
stream of water flows around the tubes from the outside inside the steam generator. This water is
under lower pressure, so the heat of the pipes turns the water into steam. Then the steam moves
through the pipes to the turbine, where its blades are rotated. Then the turbine blades rotate the
turbine shaft connected to the generator, and then the generator shaft rotates inside a group of
magnets, which leads to the generation of electric current.

3.2 Some of Nuclear stations

- Dabaa station: It has 4 units, the capacity of each unit is (1200MW), the total capacity

is( 4650MW), in Matrouh governorate.

4.Solar power station

4.1. Process
PHOTOVOLTAIC CELLS are the main component in SOLAR PANELS that are used to generate
electrical energy, when they are exposed to photons or light particles, which is called “conversion by the
photoelectric effect.” When the sun shines on a solar panel, the photovoltaic cells in the panel absorb
energy from Sunlight then generates this energy in the form of electrical charges, which move in
response to an internal electric field in the cell, resulting in a flow of electricity.

4.2 Some of Solar stations

- Banban station with a capacity of (1650 MW) in Aswan governorate.

5. Wind station
5.1. Process
The wind collides with the turbine blades and passes on both sides of them, and because of the
design of the blade, a difference in air pressure is produced on both sides of one blade, and the blades
rotate around the turbine axis as a result of this pressure difference. The turbine blades rotate and the
low-speed spindle rotates with them at the same speed, and then the movement is transmitted to the
gearbox, which contributes to raising the rotational speed to be suitable for the rotational speed of the
electric generator connected to the gearbox via the high-speed spindle .The main reason for the
presence of the gearbox is the lower rotation speed of the turbine blades, which ranges between 5 - 20
revolutions per minute, compared to the speed of the electric generator, which ranges between 750 -
3600 revolutions per minute By rotating the axis of the electric generator at the appropriate speed,
electrical energy is generated at a frequency equal to the frequency of the electrical network, and the
wires emerging from the generator are directed to the interconnection stations, which include step-up
and voltage-reducing transformers to achieve the conditions of connection with the electrical network

5.2 Some of Wind stations

-Jabal El-ziet station with a capacity of (580 MW) in the Red Sea governorate.

--zaafrana station with a capacity of (580 MW) in the Red Sea governorate.
--West Bakr station with a capacity of (250 MW) in Suez governorate.

6. Thermal station

6.1 Process

The water is heated and turns into high-pressure steam. The steam is directed at high
pressure to rotate a steam turbine , and the turbine is often connected to an electrical
generator , or it performs any other mechanical work, such as moving ships, for
example. After the steam exits the turbine, it is condensed in a thermal condenser and
recycled back to the boiler to heat it again. This cycle is called the Rankine cycle .

- Al-Tebin station with a capacity of (700 MW) in Cairo governorate.

- Abu Qir station with a capacity of (930 MW) in Alexandria governorate.

- Ain Sokhna station with a capacity of (1300 MW) in Suez governorate.

- West Cairo station with a capacity of (1360 MW).

7. Composite station

7.1. North Cairo power station

consisting of 2 modules. Each module contains 3 units (two gas units and a steam unit) with a capacity
of 3 x 250 MW, operating on a combined cycle system and the type of fuel used (natural gas / diesel).

-The total capacity is (1500 MW).

-The station is located in Ismailia Canal - Al-Zawya Al-Hamra .

 7.2. 6th of October power station
consisting of two stages. The first stage consists of (4) units with a capacity of 600 MW (4 x 150
MW) and operates on a simple cycle system. The second stage has a capacity of 918.5 MW and consists
of (5) Units (4 x 150 MW) + (1 x 318.5) and operate on a combined cycle system. The type of fuel used is
(natural gas / solar)

- The total capacity is (1518.5 MW).

- The station is located at Kilometer 26 - Cairo-Alexandria Desert Road.

7.3. Shubra El Kheima Power Station
consisting of 4 steam units with a capacity of 300 MW, and a gas unit with a capacity of 20 MW, the
type of fuel used (Natural gas / diesel).

--The total capacity is (1220 MW).

-The station is located in Al-Sharqawiya - Shubra Al-Kheima – Qalyubia.

7.4 North Giza power station
consisting of 3 modules. Each module contains 3 units (two gas units and a steam unit) with a
capacity of 3 x 250 MW, operating on a combined cycle system and the type of fuel used (natural gas /
diesel).

-- The total capacity is (2200 MW).

- The station is located in Al Qata - Abu Ghaleb – Giza.