How Power

Plants
Operates
Mark Joshua Pagay
BSED SCIENCE
 Power Plants
a power plant is an industrial facility that
generates electricity from primary energy. Most
power plants use one or more generators that
convert mechanical energy into electrical energy
in order to supply power to the electrical grid for
society's electrical needs.
Importance of Power Plants

Power plants provide the electricity

needed to power homes, businesses,
industries, and infrastructure, playing a
vital role in economic development and
daily life.
Types of Power Plants
Coal-fired plants produce electricity by burning coal in a boiler to produce steam. The
steam produced, under tremendous pressure, flows into a turbine, which spins a
Coal-fired Power Plant generator to create electricity. The steam is then cooled, condensed back into water and
returned to the boiler to start the process over.

Nuclear power reactors use heat produced during atomic fission to boil water and produce
Nuclear Power Plant pressurized steam. The steam is routed through the reactor steam system to spin large
turbines blades that drive magnetic generators to produce electricity.

At hydropower plants water flows through a pipe, or penstock, then pushes against and
Hydroelectric Power Plant turns blades in a turbine that spin to power a generator to produce electricity.

Solar power works by converting energy from the sun into power. There are two forms of
energy generated from the sun for our use – electricity and heat. Both are generated
Solar Power Plant through the use of solar panels, which range in size from residential rooftops to 'solar
farms' stretching over acres of rural land.

Wind turbines use blades to collect the wind's kinetic energy. Wind flows over the blades
creating lift (similar to the effect on airplane wings), which causes the blades to turn. The
Wind Turbine blades are connected to a drive shaft that turns an electric generator, which produces
(generates) electricity.
Environmental Impact of Power Plants
◇ Climate change
◇ Air Pollution
◇ Water Pollution
◇ Thermal Pollution
◇ Solid waste disposal
4 Steps on How Power is distributed
Consumption - Power generation typically starts with the conversion of some form of energy
01 (such as mechanical, chemical, or nuclear) into electrical energy. This process often involves
rotating turbines connected to generators, where the relative motion between conductors and
magnetic fields induces an electric current. In essence, electricity is generated through the
principles of electromagnetism

Transmission - Once electricity is generated, it needs to be transmitted efficiently over long

02 distances to where it's needed. This is typically accomplished through high-voltage transmission
lines. High voltages are used to minimize energy losses during transmission. According to
Maxwell's equations, changing electric fields induce magnetic fields, and changing magnetic fields
induce electric fields. Thus, as the current flows through the transmission lines, it creates
alternating electric and magnetic fields around the wires.

Distribution - As electricity reaches local areas or consumers, it enters the distribution

03 network. Here, transformers step down the voltage to safer levels for household and industrial
use. Transformers utilize the principles of electromagnetic induction, where changing magnetic
fields induce voltage in nearby conductors.

Consumption - Electricity reaches consumers, where it powers various devices and

04 appliances. When electricity flows through a device, it interacts with the device's components,
producing effects such as heating, lighting, or mechanical work. For example, in an electric
motor, the interaction between the magnetic field produced by the flow of current and the
permanent magnets induces motion, converting electrical energy into mechanical energy.
 Thank You!
CREDITS: This presentation template was created by Slidesgo, and includes icons by
Flaticon, and infographics & images by Freepik