Electric Energy Engineering

ELEN 0372
Chapter (3)
Generation of Electrical Energy

Importance of Electrical Energy

Electrical energy is superior to all other forms of energy due to the

following reasons:

1- Convenient form:
Electrical energy is a very convenient form of energy. It can be easily
converted into other forms of energy. For example, electrical energy can
be converted into heat (heater), light (electric bulb) and mechanical
energy (electric motors).

2- Easy control:
The electrical machines have simple starting, control and operation.
Similarly, with simple arrangements, the speed of electric motors can be
easily varied over the desired range.

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 3- Greater flexibility:
Electrical energy can be easily transported from one place to another
using conductors.
4- High transmission efficiency:
The consumers of electrical energy are situated away from the centers
of its generation. The electrical energy can be transmitted efficiently
from the centers of generation to the consumers using overhead
transmission lines.
5- Cheapness:
Electrical energy is much cheaper than other forms of energy and it is
economical to use for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes.
6- Cleanliness:
Electrical energy is not associated with smoke and fumes. Therefore, its
use ensures cleanliness and healthy conditions.
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Figure (1): Electric power system

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  Generation System:
It is a part of the power system which is used to produce the
electrical power at power stations where a form of primary energy
is converted into electricity.

 Transmission System:
It is a part of the power system which is used to transfer electrical
power, in bulk, between sources (generation) and the distribution
system. Transmission systems typically operate at voltages in the
high voltage range.

 Distribution System:
It is a part of the power system which is used to transfer electrical
power to the consumers . Distribution systems typically operate at
voltages in the medium and low voltage ranges.
 Note that the electrical energy must be produced and transmitted to
the consumers at the instant it is needed. The entire process takes
only a fraction of a second.
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Generation of Electrical Energy

The conversion of energy available in different forms in nature into
electrical energy is known as generation of electrical energy. The
arrangement essentially employs an alternator (generator) coupled to
a prime mover as shown in Figure (2).
For example: The chemical energy of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas)
can be used to produce steam at high temperature and pressure. The
steam is fed to a prime mover (steam turbine) which converts heat
energy of steam into mechanical energy. The generator converts the
mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Figure (2)

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 Sources of Energy
 Since electrical energy is produced from energy available in various
forms in nature, it is desirable to investigate the various sources of
energy. These sources of energy are:
(i) Sun
(ii) Wind
(iii) Water
(iv) Fossil fuels
(v) Nuclear energy
 The energy due to Sun and wind has not been utilized on large scale
due to several limitations, while the other three sources (water,
fossil fuels and nuclear energy) are primarily used for the generation
of electrical energy.

(i) The Sun

The Sun is the primary source of energy. The heat energy radiated
by the Sun (Solar-thermal power) can be focused over a small area
by means of reflectors. This heat can be used to raise steam and
electrical energy can be produced with the help of turbine-alternator
combination. However, this method has limited application because:
• It requires a large area for the generation of even a small amount
of electrical power.
• It cannot be used in cloudy days or at night.
• Uneconomical method.

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Figure (3): Concentrated Solar Power
station

Figure (4): Concentrated Solar

Power station

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 Photovoltaics convers sunlight directly into electrical energy.
However, photovoltaics are expensive and have low efficiency.

Figure (5): Photovoltaic cells,

modules, and arrays.

Figure (6): Photovoltaic (PV)

power station

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(ii) The Wind

The wind energy is used to run the windmill which drives a small
generator. In order to obtain the electrical energy from a windmill
continuously, the generator is arranged to charge the batteries. These
batteries supply the energy when the wind stops.

Figure (7): Variable-frequency output of the asynchronous (induction)

generator is rectified, inverted, and filtered to produce acceptable 60 Hz
power to the grid.

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The advantages of this method are:
• Clean energy (No wastes are produced).
• Low operating cost (No fuels are required).

The disadvantages of this method are:

• Variable output energy.
• Unreliable energy because the wind is not
always predictable.
• High maintenance cost.
• High initial cost.

Figure (8): An ancient windmill

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Figure (9): Onshore wind farms

Figure (10): Offshore wind farms

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(iii) Water
When water is stored at a suitable place, it possesses potential energy
due to the produced head. The hydraulic energy of the falling water
can be converted into mechanical energy with the help of water
turbines. The water turbine drives the generator which converts
mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Figure (11)

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(iv) Fossil fuels

The main sources of energy are fossil fuels (solid fuel as coal,
liquid fuel as oil and gas fuel as natural gas). The heat energy of
these fuels is converted into mechanical energy by suitable prime
movers such as steam turbines. The prime mover drives the
generator which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.

(v) Nuclear energy

Towards the end of Second World War, it was discovered that
large amount of heat energy is liberated by the fission of Uranium
and other fissionable materials. The heat produced due to nuclear
fission can be utilized to raise steam with suitable arrangements.
The steam can run the steam turbine which in turn can drive the
generator to produce electrical energy.

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 Figure (12): Steam power station

Figure (13): Nuclear power station

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Generating Stations
 Steam Power Station (Thermal Station)
 Hydro-electric Power Station
 Diesel Power Station
 Nuclear Power Station
 Gas Turbine Power Station

Steam Power Station (Thermal Station)

 A generating station which converts heat energy of fuel combustion
into electrical energy is known as a steam power station. Steam is
produced in the boiler by utilizing the heat of fuel combustion.
 The steam is fed to the steam turbine and is condensed in a condenser
to be fed into the boiler again. The steam turbine drives the generator
which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
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Figure (14): Steam power station

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 This station is suitable where fossil fuels and water are available,
and a large amount of electric power is required.

Advantages:
 Cheap fossil fuels.
 Low initial cost as compared to other generating stations.
 Small size as compared to the hydro-electric power station.
 Low operating cost as compared to the diesel power station.

Disadvantages:
 It pollutes the atmosphere due to the production of large amount
of smoke and fumes.
 High operating cost as compared to the hydro-electric power
station.

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 Hydro-electric power stations
 A generating station which utilizes the potential energy of water at a
high level for the generation of electrical energy is known as hydro-
electric power stations.
 Hydro-electric power stations are in hilly areas where dams can be
built conveniently, and large water reservoirs can be obtained. In a
hydro-electric power station, water head is produced by constructing
a dam across a river or lake.
 From the dam, water is led to a water turbine. The water turbine
converts the hydraulic energy in the falling water into mechanical
energy. The water turbine drives the generator which converts
mechanical energy into electrical energy.
 Hydro-electric power stations are becoming very important because
the reserves of fossil fuels (coal, oil and gas) are depleting day by
day.
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Figure (15): Hydroelectric power station

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 Advantages:
 It is clean as no smoke is produced.
 Low operating cost (No fuels are required).
 Simple construction.
 Low maintenance cost.
 Short starting time as compared to a steam power station.
 It is robust and has a longer life.

Disadvantages:
 High initial cost due to construction of dam.
 Unreliable energy due to the uncertainty about the availability of a
huge amount of water due to dependence on weather conditions.
 High cost of transmission lines. Since the station is in hilly areas
which are away from the consumers.
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Diesel Power Station

 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 fuel burns inside the engine to produce mechanical energy.
The diesel engine drives the generator which converts mechanical
energy into electrical energy.
 As the cost of diesel fuel is high, therefore, diesel power stations are
only used to produce small power.
 Diesel power stations are important at places where less demand of
power is required, less quantity of fuels and water is available, and
the transportation facilities are inadequate. These stations are also
used as standby sets for continuity of supply to important points such
as hospitals, radio stations and telephone exchanges.
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 Figure (16): Diesel power station

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Advantages:
 Simple design, construction and operation.
 Small size as the number and size of the auxiliaries is small.
 It can be located at any place.
 Quick starting and it can pick up load in a short time.
 It requires less water for cooling.
 It requires few operating staff.

Disadvantages:
 High operating cost. Since the used diesel fuel is expensive.
 Small generated power.
 High maintenance cost.

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 Nuclear Power Station
 A generating station in which nuclear energy is converted into
electrical energy is known as a nuclear power station.
 In nuclear power station, heavy elements such as Uranium is
subjected to nuclear fission in a special apparatus known as a reactor.
The released heat energy is utilized in producing steam at high
temperature and pressure.
 The steam is fed to a steam turbine which converts heat energy of
steam into mechanical energy. The steam turbine drives the generator
which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
 The most important feature of a nuclear power station is that huge
amount of electrical energy can be produced from a relatively small
amount of nuclear fuel as compared to other conventional types of
power stations. It has been found that complete fission of 1 kg of
Uranium can produce as much energy as can be produced by the
burning of 4500 tons of high-grade coal.
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Figure (17): Nuclear power station

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  The nuclear energy can be successfully employed for producing
low-cost electrical energy on a large scale to meet the growing
commercial and industrial demands.

Advantages:
 Small amount of fuel is required. Therefore, there is a considerable
saving in the cost of fuel transportation.
 Small size as compared to any equivalent power stations.
 Low operating cost. Since a small amount of fuel is used for
producing bulk electrical energy.
 Large deposits of nuclear fuel are available all over the world.
Therefore, such stations can ensure continued supply of electrical
energy for thousands of years.

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Disadvantages:
 The used fuel is expensive.
 High initial cost as compared to other types of stations.
 The construction and operation of the station requires greater
technical know-how.
 Radioactive pollution. Since the fission waste are radioactive.
 High maintenance cost. This is due to lack of standardization and
high salaries of specially trained personnel.
 It is well suited for constant loads. Since the reactor does not
respond to the load fluctuations efficiently.
 The problem of disposal of the radioactive waste. They have either
to be disposed off in a deep trench or in a sea away from sea-shore.

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 Gas Turbine Power Station
 A generating station which employs gas turbine as the prime mover
for the generation of electrical energy is known as a gas turbine
power station.
 In a gas turbine power station, 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.
 Heat is added to the compressed air either by burning fuel in the
chamber or using air heaters. 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 generator which converts mechanical
energy into electrical energy.
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 The compressor, gas turbine and the generator are mounted on the
same shaft, as shown in Figure (18), so that a part of mechanical
power of the turbine can be utilized for the operation of the
compressor.
 Gas turbine power stations are available in a range of sizes from
hundreds of kilowatts to hundreds of megawatts. For the smallest
units they are only about 20% efficient, but for turbines over about
10 MW they tend to have efficiencies of around 30%.

Figure (18): Gas turbine power station

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 Advantages:
 Simple design, construction and operation as compared to
equivalent steam power station. Since no boilers and feed water
arrangement are required.
 Small size as compared to equivalent steam power station. Since
no boiler and feed water arrangement are required.
 Low initial and operating costs as compared to equivalent steam
power station.
 It requires less water for cooling. Since no condenser is used.
 Low maintenance cost.
 Quick starting from cold conditions.
 No standby losses. However, in a steam power station, these
losses occur because boiler is kept in operation even when the
steam turbine is supplying no load.

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Disadvantages:
 The problem of starting the unit because the compressor has to be
operated before starting the turbine. Therefore, power is required
from some external source.
 The overall efficiency of such stations is low (about 20%) because
the exhaust gases from the turbine contain sufficient heat and the
greater part of power developed by the turbine is used in driving
the compressor.

Combined-Cycle Power Station

 A heat recovery steam generator (HRSG) captures exhaust heat from
the gas turbine, produces steam and delivers it to the steam turbine.
 The steam turbine sends its mechanical energy to the generator,
where it is converted into additional electrical energy, as shown in
Figure (19).
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Figure (19): Combined-cycle power stations have achieved efficiencies
approaching 60%.

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