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Background Theory: Power Engineering Overview

Power engineering deals with the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It includes the design of transformers, generators, motors, and power electronics. Power is generated at power plants and travels through high voltage transmission lines before being stepped down for distribution through neighborhoods on poles or underground. Distribution systems in Malaysia operate at voltages between 3.3kV to 33kV, with final consumers receiving 415V three phase or 240V single phase power.

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41 views

Background Theory: Power Engineering Overview

Power engineering deals with the generation, transmission, and distribution of electricity. It includes the design of transformers, generators, motors, and power electronics. Power is generated at power plants and travels through high voltage transmission lines before being stepped down for distribution through neighborhoods on poles or underground. Distribution systems in Malaysia operate at voltages between 3.3kV to 33kV, with final consumers receiving 415V three phase or 240V single phase power.

Uploaded by

hafiz_jaaffar
Copyright
© Attribution Non-Commercial (BY-NC)
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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EPO 341

POWER ENGINEERING FOUNDATION

Background Theory
Power Engineering Overview

Introduction
Electrical power is a little bit like the air you breathe: You don't really think about it until it is missing. Power is just "there, meeting your every need, constantly. It is only during a power failure, when you walk into a dark room and instinctively hit the useless light switch, that you realize how important power is in your daily life. You use it for heating, cooling, cooking, refrigeration, light, sound, computation, entertainment and etc.

Without power, life can get somewhat cumbersome.

What is Power Engineering? Power engineering is the subfield of electrical engineering that deals with power systems, specifically electric power transmission and distribution, power conversion, and electromechanical devices.

History
Power engineering was one of the earliest fields to be exploited in electrical engineering. Early problems solved by engineers include efficient and safe distribution of electric power. Nikola Tesla was a notable pioneer in this field.

Power
Power travels from the power plant to your house through an amazing system called the power system grid. Power Engineering deals with the generation, transmission and distribution of electricity as well as the design of a range of related devices. These include transformers, electric generators, electric motors and power electronics.

Power System Grid

Grid System in Malaysia

The grid is quite public -- if you live in a suburban or rural area, chances are it is right out in the open for all to see. It is so public, in fact, that you probably don't even notice it anymore. Your brain likely ignores all of the power lines because it has seen them so often. In this topic, we will look at all of the equipment that brings electrical power to your home. The next time you look at the power grid, you will be able to really see it and understand what is going on!

Power engineering is usually divided into three parts:


1. Generation 2. Transmission 3. Distribution

Types of Generation
Base-power stations Deliver full power continuously i.e. 24 hours a day and 365 days a year. In Malaysia; these are normally in the form of thermal power station fired by oil, gas or coal.

Types of Generation .. cont


Intermediate-Power Station Respond to changes in demand, usually by adding or removing one or more generating units. Hydropower stations are suitable for this purpose. Economical in terms of production costs.

Types of Generation .. cont


Peak-Generating Stations Generators that deliver power for short intervals during the day. Must respond very quickly. Usually gas turbines are used for these purposes and can be started up in a few minutes. High operating costs but necessary for optimal operation of system.

Types of Transmission Line


1. AC Power Lines Low Voltage Line 240V single-phase or 415V three-phase. Medium-Voltage Line 3.3kV and 33kV in Malaysia. High-Voltage Line 132kV to 500kV 2. DC Power Lines

Distribution System
Conveyance of power to the consumers by means of lower voltage networks. The high 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.

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