DC, AC Power Distribution

Power Transmission Systems: What Are They? (AC vs DC)

Key learnings:

• Power Transmission Systems Definition: Power transmission systems transmit electrical

power from generating stations to load centers where it is consumed.

• AC and DC Transmission Concepts: Electrical energy can be transmitted using high

voltage AC or DC systems, each with unique advantages.

• DC Transmission Advantages: DC transmission requires fewer conductors and has lower

insulation costs, with no issues related to inductance or capacitance.

• AC Transmission Advantages: AC transmission allows easy voltage changes and simpler

maintenance, making it more practical for many applications.

• Voltage Transformation: Power is generated at low voltage for cost efficiency, stepped
up for high voltage transmission, and stepped down for distribution to ensure minimal
losses.

Electric Power Transmission

Electric power transmission systems are the means of transmitting power from a generating
source to various load centers (i.e. where the power is being used). Generating stations generate
electrical power. These generating stations are not necessarily situated where the majority of the
power is being consumed (i.e. the load center).

Distance isn’t the only factor for choosing a generating station’s location. Often, generating
stations are far from where the power is used. Land further from high-density areas is cheaper,
and it’s better to keep noisy or polluting stations away from residential areas. This is why power
transmission systems are essential.

Electrical supply systems deliver power from generation sources, like thermal power station, to
consumers. Power transmission systems, which include short transmission lines, medium
transmission lines, and long transmission lines, move power distribution system. These systems
then provide electricity to homes and businesses.
AC vs DC Transmission

Fundamentally there are two systems by which electrical energy can be transmitted:

1. High voltage DC electrical transmission system.

2. High AC electrical transmission system.

There are some advantages to using DC transmission systems:

• Only two conductors are required for DC transmission system. It is further possible to use
only one conductor of DC transmission system if the earth is utilized as the return path of
the system.

• The potential stress on the insulator of the DC transmission system is about 70% of the
equivalent voltage AC transmission system. Hence, DC transmission systems have reduced
insulation costs.

• Inductance, capacitance, phase displacement and surge problems can be eliminated in DC

system.

Even having these advantages in a DC system, generally, electrical energy is transmitted by a

three-phase AC transmission system. The advantages of an AC transmission system include:

• The alternating voltages can easily be stepped up and down, which is not possible in DC
transmission system.

• Maintenance of AC substation is quite easy and economical compared to DC.

• The transforming of power in AC electrical substation is much easier than motor-

generator sets in a DC system.

But AC transmission system also has some disadvantages, including:

• The volume of conductor required in AC systems is much higher when compared to DC

systems.

• The reactance of the line affects the voltage regulation of the electrical power
transmission system.

• Problems of skin effects and proximity effects only found in AC systems.

• AC transmission systems are more likely to be affected by corona discharge than a DC

transmission system.

• Construction of AC electrical power transmission network is more complicated than DC

systems.
 • Proper synchronizing is required before interconnecting two or more transmission
lines together, synchronizing can totally be omitted in DC transmission system.

Constructing a Generating Station

During the planning of construction of generating station the following factors are to be
considered for economical generation of electrical power.

1. Easy availability of water for thermal power generating station.

2. Easy availability of land for construction of power station including its staff township.

3. For a hydropower station, there must be a dam on the river. So proper place on the river
must be chosen in such a way that the construction of the dam can be done in the most
optimum way.

4. For a thermal power station, easy availability of fuel is one of the most important factors
to be considered.

5. Better communication for goods as well as employees of the power station also to be put
into consideration.

6. For transporting very large spare parts of turbines, alternators, etc., there must be wide
roadways, train communication, and the deep and wide river must pass away nearby the
power station.

7. For a nuclear power plant, it must be situated in such a distance or location as to avoid
any effect from the nuclear reaction on the health of humans.

There are many other factors also we should consider, but they are beyond the scope of our
discussion. All the factors listed above are difficult to be available at load centers. The power
station or generating station must be situated where all the facilities are easily available. This
place may not be necessary at the load centers. The power generated at the generating station is
then transmitted to the load center using an electrical power transmission system as we said
earlier.

The AC power generated at a generating station is at a low voltage level, as low voltage power
generation has some economic value. Low voltage power generation is more economical (i.e.
lower cost) than high voltage power generation. At a low voltage level, both weight and insulation
are less in the alternator; this directly reduces the cost and size of an alternator. But this low
voltage level power cannot be transmitted directly to the consumer end because this low voltage
power transmission is not at all economical. Hence although low voltage power generation is
economical, low voltage electrical power transmission is not economical.

Electrical power is directly proportional to the product of electrical current and voltage of the
system. So, for transmitting certain electrical power from one place to another, if the voltage of
the power is increased then associated current of this power reduces. Reduced current means
less I2R loss in the system, less cross-sectional area of the conductor means less capital
involvement and decreased current causes improvement in voltage regulation of power
transmission system and improved voltage regulation indicates quality power. Because of these
three reasons electrical power mainly transmitted at high voltage level.

Again, at distribution end for efficient distribution of the transmitted power, it is stepped down
to its desired low voltage level.

It can be concluded that first the electrical power is generated at a low voltage level then it is
stepped up to high voltage for efficient transmission of electrical energy. Lastly, for the
distribution of electrical energy or power to different consumers, it is stepped down to the desired
low voltage level.