Module 1

Introduction
A power plant or a power generating station is basically an industrial location that is utilized
for the generation and distribution of electric power in mass scale, usually in the order of several
1000 Watts. These are generally located at the sub-urban regions or several kilometers away
from the cities or the load centers, because of its requisites like huge land and water demand,
along with several operating constraints like the waste disposal etc. For this reason, a power
generating station has to not only take care of efficient generation but also the fact that the power
is transmitted efficiently over the entire distance. And thats why; the transformer switch yard to
regulate transmission voltage also becomes an integral part of the power plant.
At the center of it, however, nearly all power generating stations has an A.C. generator or an
alternator, which is basically a rotating machine that is equipped to convert energy from the
mechanical domain (rotating turbine) into electrical domain by creating relative motion between
a magnetic field and the conductors. The energy source harnessed to turn the generator shaft
varies widely, and is chiefly dependent on the type of fuel used.

All India installed capacity as of July 2015

Nucl
ear
(in M
W)

Thermal (in MW)

Coal

Tot

Gas

167,707 22,962.

Renewable (in MW)

Die
sel

SubTotal
Ther
mal

Hyd
el

993.5

191,663

41,997.
5,780

al

.88

15

.56

Other
Renew
able

Total
(in M
W)

%
of
Tota
l

SubTotal
Renew
able

275,911 100.00
36,470.64 78,468.06

42

.62

Conventional and non-conventional sources of renewable energy

Conventional: Energy that has been used from ancient times is known as conventional energy.
Coal, natural gas, oil, and firewood are examples of conventional energy sources.
(Or usual) sources of energy (electricity) are coal, oil, wood, peat, uranium.
Non-conventional (or unusual) sources of energy include:
Solar power
Hydro-electric power (dams in rivers)
Wind power
Tidal power
Ocean wave power
Geothermal power (heat from deep under the ground)
Ocean thermal power (the difference in heat between shallow and deep water)
Biomass (burning of vegetation to stop it producing methane)
Biofuel (producing ethanol (petroleum) from plants

There are mainly three conventional source of electric power generation, and they are
thermal, hydel, and nuclear energy.
Thermal Power Generation: A thermal power station or a coal fired thermal power plant is by
far, the most conventional method of generating electric power with reasonably high efficiency.
It uses coal as the primary fuel to boil the water available to superheated steam for driving the
steam turbine. The steam turbine is then mechanically coupled to an alternator rotor, the rotation
of which results in the generation of electric power. Generally in India, bituminous coal or brown
coal are used as fuel of boiler which has volatile content ranging from 8 to 33 % and ash content
5 to 16 %. To enhance the thermal efficiency of the plant, the coal is used in the boiler in its
pulverized form.

Fig:- Schematic diagram of thermal power plant.

In coal fired thermal power plant, steam is obtained in very high pressure inside the steam boiler
by burning the pulverized coal. This steam is then super-heated in the super heater to extreme
high temperature. This super-heated steam is then allowed to enter into the turbine, as the turbine
blades are rotated by the pressure of the steam. The turbine is mechanically coupled with
alternator in a way that its rotor will rotate with the rotation of turbine blades. After entering into
the turbine, the steam pressure suddenly falls leading to corresponding increase in the steam

volume. After having imparted energy into the turbine rotors, the steam is made to pass out of the
turbine blades into the steam condenser of turbine. In the condenser, cold water at ambient
temperature is circulated with the help of pump which leads to the condensation of the low
pressure wet steam. Then this condensed water is further supplied to low pressure water heater
where the low pressure steam increases the temperature of this feed water, it is again heated in
high pressure. This outlines the basic working methodology of a thermal power plant.
Hydel Power Generation: Here the water head is used to rotate the rotor shaft of an alternator.
Water head can be naturally available or it can be created. In hilly region water head can be
naturally available in the hill top natural lakes. In plain land, it can be created by constructing
dams across suitable rivers. In comparing to a thermal power plant, hydel plants are more echofriendly as they are free from fuel combustion. Also the running cost of hydel plant is much
cheaper than that of thermal plants as there is no need of fuel to be burnt.

Fig:- Schematic diagram of hydel power generation

Although running cost of a hydel power plant is quite low, but initial constructional cost of this
plant is quite high as compared to thermal power plant. As because, there is huge involvement of
money in construction of dams and other necessary civil buildings. Water turbine generally a run
at a low speed, hence number of poles in the generator is higher to achieve fixed 50 Hz power
frequency. The number of pole in a hydel alternator may be up to 20 or more.
Nuclear Power Generation:

It is estimated that, the coal reserve of our country will be

exhausted within next 40 years if the coal is continued to be consumed in present rate. The
solution of this situation is a nuclear power plant as thought. In a nuclear power station, Uranium
235 is subjected to nuclear fission. In fission process, U 235 is bombarded by a beam of
neutrons. The collision of neutrons with the nucleus of U 235 creates huge heat energy along
with other neutrons. These newly created neutrons are called fission neutrons which again hit by
other U 235 nuclear and create mare heat energy and other fission neutrons. During fission
process the nucleus of U 235 is divided into two parts. The fission process is commutative in
nature. That is why, a nuclear reaction is a chain reaction and hence it should be allowed to be
occurred in a controlled manner. The moderates and control rods are used to control this chain
reaction.

Fig: Schematic Diagram of Nuclear Power Plant

Moderates are used to reduce the velocity of neutrons and control rods are used to absorb
neutrons for maintaining, required number of neutrons for the process. Moderates are made of
heavy water or pure carbon and control rods are made of cadmium or boron steel. The speed of
the nuclear reaction can be controlled by inserting control rods up to a desire deep into the
reaction chamber. By pushing down and pulling up the control rods, the output of the nuclear
generating plant is controlled. Although this process is not manual, it is controlled by the
automatic feedback control system. The heat generated during fission is taken out from the
reactor by means of coolant consisting of liquid sodium or some gaseous fluids. The coolant is
circulated between heat exchanger and the reactor. It takes heat from the reactor and gives the
heat to the water in the heat exchanger. Thus the water in the heat exchanger is converted to high
pressure and high temperature steam. This steam then drives a turbine and exhausts into a
condenser where it is condensed into water and cooled down for re- feeding to the heater changes
again via a feed water pump. The main advantage of nuclear power plant is its minimum fuel
consumption. It has been observed that for running a 1000 MW thermal power plant, nearly 6
X106 kg of coal to be burnt every day, whereas in a nuclear power plant only 2.5 kg of Uranium
to be consumed daily for getting same output. But the initial investment of nuclear power plant is
quite high. It produces electricity without causing any air pollution, but, it has always a chance of
radiation hazard because of leakage in reactor chamber. Another major disadvantage of this plant
is its disposals, as because its disposals are not free from radioactivity.
Diesel Power Plant: For generating electrical power, it is essential to rotate the rotor of an
alternator by means of a prime mover. The prime mover can be driven by different methods.
Using diesel engine as prime mover is one of the popular methods of generating power. When
prime mover of the alternators is diesel engine, the power station is called diesel power station.
The mechanical power required for driving alternator comes from combustion of diesel. As the
diesel costs high, this type of power station is not suitable for producing power in large scale in
our country.
But for small scale production of electric power, and where, there is no other easily available
alternatives of producing electric power, diesel power station are used.

Steam power stations and hydro power plants are mainly used to produce maximum portion of
the electrical load demands. But for steam power station, sufficient supply of coal and water are
required.
For hydro power station, plenty source of water and big dams are required. But where all these
facilities are not available, such as no easy way of coal transportation and no scope of
constructing dam, there it is established.
Diesel power plants are also popularly used as standby supply of different industries, commercial
complexes, hospitals, etc. During power cut, these diesel power generators are run to fulfil
required demand.
Advantages of Diesel Power Station
1.
2.
3.
4.

This is simple in design point of view.

Required very small space.
It can also be designed for portable use.
It has quick starting facility, the small diesel generator set can be started within few
seconds.
5. It can also be stopped as when required stopping small size diesel power station, even
easier than its starting
6. As these machines can easily be started and stopped as when required, there may not be
any standby loss in the system.
7. Cooling is easy and required smaller quantity of water in this type power station.
8. Initial cost is less than other types of power station.
9. Thermal efficiency of diesel is quite higher than of coal.
10. Small involvement is less than steam power station.

Disadvantages of Diesel Power Station

As we have already mentioned, the cost of diesel is very high compared to coal. This is the main
reason for which a diesel power plant is not getting popularity over other means of generating
power. In other words the running cost of this plant is higher compared to steam and hydro
power plants.
1. The plant generally used to produce small power requirement.
2. Cost of lubricants is high.
3. Maintenance is quite complex and costs high.

Different Components of Diesel Power Station

In addition to diesel generator set or DG set there are many other auxiliaries attached to at diesel
power station.
Fuel Supply System: In fuel supply system there are one storage tank, where oil in stored.
Strainer: This oil then pump to dry tank, by means of transfer pump.
During transferring from main tank to smaller dry tank, the oil passes through strainer to remove
solid impurities. From dry tank to main tank, there is another pipe connection. This is over flow
pipe. This pipe connection is used to return the oil from dry tank to main tank in the event of
over flowing.
From dry tank the oil is injected in the diesel engine by means of fuel injection pump.
Air Intake System: This system supplies necessary air to the engine for fuel combustion. It
consists of a pipe for supplying of fresh air to the engine. Filters are provided to remove dust
particles from air.
Exhaust System: The exhaust gas is removed from engine, to the atmosphere by means of an
exhaust system. A silencer is normally used in this system to reduce noise level of the engine.
Cooling System: The heat produced due to internal combustion, drives the engine. But some
parts of this heat raise the temperature of different parts of the engine. High temperature may
cause permanent damage to the machine. Hence, it is essential to maintain the overall
temperature of the engine to a tolerable level. Cooling system of diesel power station does
exactly so. The cooling system requires a water source, water source, water pump and cooling
towers. The pump circulates water through cylinder and head jacket. The water takes away heat
from the engine and it becomes hot. The hot water is cooled by cooling towers and is recirculated for cooling.
Lubricating System: This system minimises the water of rubbing surface of the engine. Here
lubricating oil is stored in main lubricating oil tank. This lubricating oil is drawn from the tank
by means of oil pump. Then the oil is passed through the oil filter for removing impurities. From
the filtering point, this clean lubricating oil is delivered to the different points of the machine

where lubrication is required the oil cooler is provided in the system to keep the temperature of
the lubricating oil as low as possible.
Starting System: For starting a diesel engine, initial rotation of the engine shaft is required.
Until the firing start and the unit runs with its own power. For small DG set, the initial rotation of
the shaft is provided by handles but for large diesel power station. Compressed air is made for
starting.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Thermal Power Station

Advantages:
1) Economical for low initial cost other than any generating plant.
2) Land required less than hydro power plant.
3) Since coal is main fuel & its cost is quite cheap than petrol/diesel so generation cost is
economical.
4) There are easier maintenance.
5) Thermal power plant can be installed in any location where transportation & bulk of water are
available.
Disadvantages:
1) The running cost for a thermal power station is comparatively high due to fuel, maintenance
etc.
2) Large amount of smoke causes air pollution. The thermal power station is responsible for
Global warming.
3) The heated water that comes from thermal power plant has an adverse effect on the lives in the
water and disturbs the ecology.
4) Overall efficiency of thermal power plant is low like less 30%.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Nuclear Power Station

ADVANTAGES:
The generation of electricity through nuclear energy reduces the amount of energy generated
from fossil fuels (coal and oil). Less use of fossil fuels means lowering greenhouse gas emissions
(CO2 and others).
Less fuel offers more energy. It represents a significant save on raw materials but also in
transport, handling and extraction of nuclear fuel. The cost of nuclear fuel (overall uranium) is
20% of the cost of energy generated.
The production of electric energy is continuous. A nuclear power plant is generating electricity
for almost 90% of annual time. It reduces the price volatility of other fuels such as petrol.
It's an alternative to fossil fuels, so the consumption of fuels such as coal or oil is reduced. This
reduction of coal and oil consumption benefits the situation of global warming and global
climate change.

DISADVANTAGES:
1. One of the main disadvantages is the difficulty in the management of nuclear waste. It
takes many years to eliminate its radioactivity and risks.
2. Current nuclear reactors work by fission nuclear reactions. These chain reactions are
generated in case control systems fail, generating continuous reactions causing a
radioactive explosion that would be virtually impossible to contain.
3. Nuclear power plants generate external dependence. Not many countries have
uranium mines and not all the countries have nuclear technology, so they have to hire
both things overseas.
4. The energy generated is cheap compared to the cost of fuel, but the recovery of its
construction is much more expensive.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Hydel Power Station

ADVANTAGES:
1. Once a dam is constructed, electricity can be produced at a constant rate.
2. If electricity is not needed, the sluice gates can be shut, stopping electricity generation. The
water can be saved for use another time when electricity demand is high.
3. Dams are designed to last many decades and so can contribute to the generation of electricity
for many years / decades.
4. The lake that forms behind the dam can be used for water sports and leisure / pleasure
activities. Often large dams become tourist attractions in their own right.
5. The lake's water can be used for irrigation purposes.
6. The buildup of water in the lake means that energy can be stored until needed, when the
water is released to produce electricity.
7. When in use, electricity produced by dam systems do not produce greenhouse gases. They
do not pollute the atmosphere.

DISADVANATGES:
1. Dams are extremely expensive to build and must be built to a very high standard.
2. The high cost of dam construction means that they must operate for many decades to become
profitable.
3. The flooding of large areas of land means that the natural environment is destroyed.
4. People living in villages and towns that are in the valley to be flooded, must move out. This
means that they lose their farms and businesses. In some countries, people are forcibly removed
so that hydro-power schemes can go ahead.

5. The building of large dams can cause serious geological damage. For example, the building of
the Hoover Dam in the USA triggered a number of earth quakes and has depressed the earths
surface at its location.
6. Although modern planning and design of dams is good, in the past old dams have been known
to be breached (the dam gives under the weight of water in the lake). This has led to deaths and
flooding.
7. Dams built blocking the progress of a river in one country usually means that the water supply
from the same river in the following country is out of their control. This can lead to serious
problems between neighboring countries.
8. Building a large dam alters the natural water table level. For example, the building of the
Aswan Dam in Egypt has altered the level of the water table. This is slowly leading to damage of
many of its ancient monuments as salts and destructive minerals are deposited in the stone work
from rising damp caused by the changing water table level.

Advantages & Disadvantages of Gas turbine Power Station

GAS TURBINE POWER PLANT