Unit 4 Introduction to Power System

Simple Power System

• The power system is a network which constitute generation, distribution and transmission system.
• Generators supply the electrical energy. Transmission and distribution networks of overhead lines
and underground cables deliver the energy to consumers where all manner of electrical loads, from
motors to TVs, use it.
• Transformers initially raise the generated voltage for efficient transmission over long distances and
thereafter decrease the system voltage for local distribution and utilization.
• High voltage ensures less current for same magnitude of power transfer. Which lowers 𝐼 𝑅 loss and
line voltage drop 𝐈𝐳.
• Electrical energy is most efficiently supplied by three-phase systems. The electrical loads are
arranged to ensure that the currents in each of the three individual phases are roughly equal. In this
condition, a power system is said to be balanced.

Single Line Diagram of Power System

Single line diagram of simple power system

• A single line diagram representation of power system in which the components are represented by
their symbols and interconnection between them is shown by a straight line even though the system
is three phase system.
• The rating and the impedances of the components are also marked on the single line diagram.
• The purpose of the single line diagram is to provide significant information about the system in
concise form.
• A single line diagram of a typical electrical power system is shown in Fig.

A Typical Electric Power System

Elements of Power System
The main components of a power system are:
a. power plant
b. transformer

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 b. transformer
c. transmission line/ cables
d. substations
e. distribution line
f. distribution transformer

Schematic diagram depicting power system structure

• The power plant generates the power which is step-up or step-down through the transformer for
transmission.
• The transmission line transfers the power to the various substations.
• Through substation, the power is transferred to the distribution transformer which step-down the
power to the appropriate value which is suitable for the consumers.
• Generating stations, transmission lines and the distribution systems are the main components of an
electric power system.
• Generating stations and a distribution system are connected through transmission lines, which also
connect one power system (grid, area) to another.
• A distribution system connects all the loads in a particular area to the transmission lines.

• Electric power is generated at a voltage of 11 to 25 kV which then is stepped up to the transmission

levels in the range of 66 to 765 kV (or higher).
• In India, several 400 kV lines are already in operation. Several 765 kV lines have been built so far in
India.

• The first stepdown of voltage from transmission level is at the bulk power substation, where the
reduction is to a range of 33 to 132 kV. Some industries may require power at these voltage levels.
This stepdown is from the transmission and grid level to sub-transmission level.

• The next stepdown in voltage is at the distribution substation. Normally, two distribution voltage
levels are employed.
○ The primary or feeder voltage (11 kV).
The secondary or consumer voltage (415 V three phase/230 V single phase).

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 ○ The secondary or consumer voltage (415 V three phase/230 V single phase).

• The distribution system, fed from the distribution transformer stations, supplies power to the
domestic or industrial and commercial consumers.

Generation
• In generation system the fuel (coal, water, nuclear energy, etc.) is converted into electrical energy.
The electrical power is generated in the range of 11kV to 25kV, which is step-up for long distance
transmission.
• Conventional power plant of the generating substation is mainly classified into three types, i.e.,
thermal power plant, hydropower plant and nuclear power plant.
• The generator and the transformer are the main components of the generating station.

• The generator converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy. The mechanical energy comes
from the burning of coal, gas and nuclear fuel, gas turbines, or occasionally the internal combustion
engine.
• The transformer transfers the power with very high efficiency from one level to another.
• The step-up transformer will reduce losses in the line which facilitates the transmission of power
over long distances.

Transmission
• The network that transmits and delivers power from the producers to the consumers is called the
transmission system.
• The transmission system constitutes the overhead lines which transfer the generated electrical
energy from generation to the distribution substations. It only supplies the large bulk of power to
bulk power substations or very big consumers.
• This energy can be transmitted in AC or DC form.
• Traditionally, AC has been used for years now, but HVDC (High Voltage DC) is rapidly gaining
popularity.

The transmission lines mainly perform the two functions:

1. It transports the energy from generating stations to bulk receiving stations.
2. It interconnects the two or more generating stations. The neighboring substations are also
interconnected through the transmission lines.

• The transmission voltage is at more than 66 kV.

• The transmission line above 230 kV is usually referred to as extra high voltage (EHV).
• The high voltage line is terminated in substations which are called high voltage substations, receiving
substations or primary substations.
• In high voltage substation, the voltage is step-down to a suitable value for the next part of flow
toward the load.
• Very large industrial consumers may be served directly to the transmission system.

Sub-transmission System
• The portion of the transmission system that connects the high voltage substations through the step-
down transformer to the distribution substations is called the sub-transmission system.
• The sub-transmission voltage level ranges from 90 to 138KV. The sub-transmission system directly
serves some large industries.

Distribution
• The component of an electrical power system connecting all the consumers in an area to the bulk
power sources is called a distribution system.
• Substations are usually situated at convenient points near the load centers.
• The substations distribute the power to the domestic, commercial and relatively small consumers.

Electric Power Generation

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 Electric Power Generation
• Thermal (coal, oil, nuclear) and hydro generations are the main conventional sources of electric
energy.
• Some of the non-conventional sources being explored are solar, wind and tidal sources.
• A panoramic view of energy conversion to electrical form is presented.

Thermal Power Plant

• Thermal power station is the most conventional type of power plant.
• In these power plants, a fossil fuel such as coal is burned to produce heat. This heat is then used to
boil the water and convert it into the superheated steam. The superheated steam is passed into a
steam turbine. Blades of the turbine are rotated due to the pressure of the steam. The steam
turbine drives an alternator which is mechanically coupled to it. When rotor of the alternator
rotates, electricity is generated.
• These plants are sometimes called as steam power plants.
• Efficiency of thermal power plants is about 30%.
• The main disadvantage of a thermal power plant is efficiency and pollution.

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 Simplified layout of a thermal power station

• Coal: In a coal based thermal power plant, the coal from live storage is first crushed in small particles
and then taken into pulverizer to make it in powdered form. Fine powdered coal undergoes
complete combustion, and thus pulverized coal improves efficiency of the boiler.
• The ash produced after the combustion of coal is taken out of the boiler furnace and then properly
disposed.

• Boiler: The mixture of pulverized coal and air (usually preheated air) is taken into boiler and then
burnt in the combustion zone. On ignition of fuel a large fireball is formed at the center of the boiler
and large amount of heat energy is radiated from it.
• The heat energy is utilized to convert the water into steam at high temperature and pressure.
• Steel tubes run along the boiler walls in which water is converted in steam. The flue gases from the
boiler make their way through superheater, economizer, air preheater and finally get exhausted to
the atmosphere from the stack/chimney.

• Superheater: The superheater tubes are hanged at the hottest part of the boiler. The saturated
steam produced in the boiler tubes is superheated to about 540 °C in the superheater. The
superheated high-pressure steam is then fed to the steam turbine.

• Economizer: An economizer is essentially a feed water heater which heats the water before
supplying to the boiler.

• Air pre-heater: The primary air fan takes air from the atmosphere, and it is then warmed in the air
pre-heater. Pre-heated air is injected with coal in the boiler.

• Superheater, economizer, air-preheater improve efficiency of plant.

• Steam turbine: High pressure super-heated steam is fed to the steam turbine which causes turbine
blades to rotate. Energy in the steam is converted into mechanical energy in the steam turbine
which acts as the prime mover.
• The pressure and temperature of the steam falls to a lower value and it expands in volume as it
passes through the turbine.
• The expanded low-pressure steam is exhausted in the condenser.

• Condenser: The exhausted steam is condensed in the condenser by means of cold-water circulation.
Here, the steam loses its pressure as well as temperature and it is converted back into water.

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• Alternator: The steam turbine is coupled to an alternator. When the turbine rotates the alternator,
electrical energy is generated.
• This generated electrical voltage is then stepped up with the help of a transformer and then
transmitted where it is to be utilized.

• Feed water pump: The condensed water is again fed to the boiler by a feed water pump. Some
water may be lost during the cycle, which is suitably supplied from an external water source.

• A practical thermal plant possesses more complicated design and multiple stages of turbine such as
High-Pressure Turbine (HPT), Intermediate-Pressure Turbine (IPT) and Low-Pressure Turbine (LPT).

Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Thermal Power Plant

Advantages:
• Less initial cost as compared to other generating stations.
• It requires less land as compared to hydro power plant.
• The fuel (i.e., coal) is cheaper.
• The cost of generation is lesser than that of diesel power plants.
Disadvantages:
• It pollutes the atmosphere due to the production of large amount of smoke. This is one of the
causes of global warming.
• The overall efficiency of a thermal power station is low (around 30%).

Concept of Green Energy

The term green or renewable energy describes the energy flows that recur naturally in the
environment, such as solar radiation, the wind, the tides and the waves. The origin of these sources
is either the sun (solar energy helps to shape the earth’s weather patterns) or the gravitational
effects of the moon and the sun. Such sources are sustainable energy sources since they are not
depleted by continued use. However, they are difficult to convert into more useful forms of energy,
particularly electrical energy.

Renewable energy sources also have a much smaller impact on the environment than fossil fuels,
which produce pollutants such as greenhouse gases as a by-product, contributing to climate change.
Gaining access to fossil fuels typically requires either mining or drilling deep into the earth, often in
ecologically sensitive locations. Green energy utilizes energy sources that are readily available all
over the world, including in rural and remote areas that don't otherwise have access to electricity.

Solar photovoltaic (PV) energy conversion:

Photovoltaics is the direct conversion of light into electricity at the atomic level. Some materials
exhibit a property
known as the photoelectric effect that causes them to absorb photons of light and release electrons.
When these free electrons are captured, an electric current results that can be used as electricity.

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 When these free electrons are captured, an electric current results that can be used as electricity.

Based on the principle of photovoltaic effect, solar cells or photovoltaic cells are made. They convert
sunlight into direct current (DC) electricity.

• A number of solar cells electrically connected to each other and mounted in a support structure or
frame is called a photovoltaic module. Modules are designed to supply electricity at a certain
voltage, such as a common 12 volts system. The current produced is directly dependent on how
much light strikes the module.

• Multiple modules can be wired together to form an array. In general, the larger the area of a module
or array, the more electricity that will be produced. Photovoltaic modules and arrays produce direct-
current (dc) electricity.

• The photovoltaic modules produce DC electricity. But, for most of the times we require AC power
and, hence, solar power system consists of an inverter too.

• Main components of a solar PV power plant are solar panels, DC-DC converter, MPPT, charge
controller, battery for storage, DC-AC Converter (inverter) and load to be fed.

Block diagram of Solar PV based power plant

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