Electrical Power and Machines EPE491

Elements of Power System

Introduction
Electrical power system
o

A network of components designed to transmit and distribute the energy produced by

generators to locations where it is used.

Required to generate and supply electrical energy to consumers.

Figure 1: A simple power system

The three main characteristics of electricity supply are as follows:

o

Electricity cannot be stored in bulk form.

Thus, power must be generated continuously so that it meets the demand at a specific
voltage and frequency.

Increases in population, industrial expansion, housing areas and etc lead to the continuous
increase in demand for power.

Power station is located near to the resources location.

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Energy Resources

They are five main energy resources being used to generate electric energy

They are: coal, water, gas, oil and nuclear.

o

Coal
Most common source
Relatively cheap fuel
Unfortunately, the most polluting
Antipollution features have to be included
Non-renewable
Water
The best source
Non-polluting
No cost for the fuel
Natural gas
Better and cleaner energy source than coal
Principal disadvantage is hard to transport over long distance
Non-renewable
Oil
A bit more polluting than natural gas but easy to transport over long distance
However, much more expensive
Non-renewable
Nuclear energy
Non-polluting
Extremely expensive to build
Require elaborate safety system and expensive training
Once built, the cost of the fuel is low

Nowadays, active research and development has also been carried out for alternative
renewable energy resources such as geo-thermal, wind, wave, solar, bio-mass and etc.

However, they are not yet economical

Figure 2: Coal Power Station

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Figure 3: Hydro Power Station

Figure 4: Wind Power Station

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Power System

Power system is usually divided into three parts: generation, transmission and distribution.

Figure 5: The three major components of power system

Generation System

Powers supplied by all power stations are based on power demand.

They are usually generated at a voltage between 11kV and 25kV

Figure 6 shows a typical load curve for 24 hours.

Total power depends on the time of the day and the daily activities of the consumers

Figure 6: Typical load curve

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There are 3 types of generating stations based on load demand:

1. Base-power station
o

Base load is the minimum amount of power that a utility company must make available
to its customers.

Deliver full power continuously i.e. 24 hours a day and 365 days a year

Most economical in terms of operating costs i.e. high efficiency output & most reliable

Nuclear & coal-fired stations are suitable for this purpose

2. Intermediate-power station
o

Can respond to changes in demand relatively quickly, usually by adding or removing

one or more generating units

Operate mainly during day time to complement the base stations

The most economical in terms of production costs, although unreliable in terms of

actual energy output

Hydropower stations are suitable for this purpose

3. Peak-power station
o

Generally run only when there is a high demand, known as peak demand

Deliver power for short intervals during the day

Able to respond very quickly because they can be started up in a few minutes

Have high operating cost due to their idling-time and unutilized capital costs but
necessary for optimal operation of power system

Usually gas turbines are used for this purpose

Transmission System

Transmission system consists of transmission line and substations

Two types of transmission lines: overhead lines and buried cables

1. Overhead transmission line

Consist of three conductors suspended by towers or poles.

Generally the lowest-cost method (since most of the insulation is provided by air)

Classified according to the range of voltages:

o

Low voltage: less than 1 kV (connection between residential or small commercial

customer & the utility)

Medium voltage: between 1 kV to ~ 33 kV (distribution in urban & rural areas)

High voltage: between 33 kV to ~230 kV (for long distance transmission)

Extra high voltage: over 230 kV up to ~ 800 kV (for long distance transmission)

Ultra high voltage: higher than 800 kV

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2. Underground transmission line

These lines are designed to be buried underground or under water

Compared to overhead lines, buried cables are:

More expensive (cost of burying cables is higher)

Harder to maintain and repair

Cannot be used for very long distances due to capacitance problems

Nevertheless, they are increasingly popular in new urban areas where overhead
transmission lines are considered an eyesore.

Substation is a subsidiary station of power system where voltage is transformed from high to
low or low to high using transformers.

There are three types of substation normally used:

1. Transmission substation
o

Convert voltages to extremely high voltages for long distance transmission.

Use high voltages in order to minimize losses and reduce cost

2. Distribution substation
o

Step down the voltages to distribution level

3. Interconnecting substation
o

Used to connect different power systems (e.g. between Malaysia and Thailand)

Enable power exchange and increase in stability of the overall network

Distribution System

Distribute power to consumers by means of lower voltage networks

The medium voltage distribution is at 33kV and below i.e. 11kV, 6.6kV or 3.3kV.

The final consumer utilizes 415V three phase and 240V single phase.

The Grid System

Grid system is an overall network that consists of many interconnected power system.

The advantages of grid systems are:

o

Stability in operation

The system has greater reserve power through their combined resources than a system
working in isolation.

Therefore, the system would be able to withstand a large disturbance and is more
stable. Stability will increase with an increase in number of stations.

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Service continuity

If one of the generating stations should break down or to closed for inspection and
repair, energy could be supplied by the remaining stations.

Economy

In this system, the load can be shared among various generating station so that the
overall operating cost is minimized.

Thus, we can shut down a number of stations when demand is low.

In Peninsular Malaysia, the power grid is known as the National Grid.

o

It is operated and owned by Tenaga Nasional Berhad (TNB).

The system spans the whole of Peninsular Malaysia, connecting electricity generating
stations owned by TNB and Independent Power Producers (IPPs).

IPPs are privately owned power producers

Generate and sell power to TNB

Examples of IPPs:
1. YTL Generation Sdn Bhd

Paka, Pasir Gudang

2. Malakoff Berhad

Lumut Power Sattion, Segari

Prai Power Station, Butterworth

Tanjung Bin Power Station, Johor

3. Genting Sanyen Power Sdn Bhd

Kuala Langat Power Station

There are also two other electrical grids in East Malaysia:

o

In Sabah: Sabah Electricity Sdn. Bhd. (SESB)

In Sarawak: Sarawak Electricity Supply Corporation (SESCO)

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