A Brief Study

on
Electrical Power Transmission
Need for a Transmission System
Bridge between:
Generating stations Where electric power
is generated
Load center- Where maximum power is
consumed
 Generation, Transmission,
Distribution and Load form the
four basic elements or subsystems
of a power system
Schematic of an Electrical Power
Transmission System
SUBSYSTEMS
 GENERATION
Generation is simply the conversion of
energy from one form to another.
The three major types of generation are:
FOSSIL
HYDRO
NUCLEAR
 FOSSIL
Fossil fuels such as coal, oil and gas are burned to
generate electricity.
The machines used in fossil generation are high
speed but slow starting.
The main issues are environmental as burning of
fuel causes pollution therefore low sulphur
content fuel is used.
 HYDRO
In hydro plants, electric power is generated
by the water flowing through a turbine
which is coupled solidly to a generator.
 NUCLEAR
In nuclear plants the basic cycle is similar to that
of fossil plant but the required heat is provided
by the nuclear reaction rather from burning
fuels.

Due to the stringent government requirements

about the safety of nuclear plants, their design
and operation are much more complicated than
the fossil or hydro units.
 TRANSMISSION
The transmission system consists of a
network of overhead lines or in densely
populated areas, underground cables.
The lines are designed to transmit large
amounts of power from point of
generation to the load area.
Power transfer usually takes place at high
voltage(and low current).
Advantages of High Voltage Transmission

Size of the conductors is reduced.

Losses reduce, resulting in better efficiency.

Low current-voltage drop will be less. So

voltage regulation improves.
High Voltage AC High Voltage DC
Transmission Transmission
 Advantages Of HVDC transmission
No inductance or earth capacitance - low
voltage drop(hence better voltage regulation)
No skin effect-reduction in cross sectional area of
conductor
Less potential stress compared to AC system for
same voltage level-hence, requires less insulation
No interference with communication system
Corona losses are very low
No dielectric losses
No difficulties in synchronizing and stability
Price of towers, poles, insulators, and conductor
are low-the system is economical.
 Disadvantages Of HVDC transmission

Due to commutation problem, power cant be

produce at High DC Voltage.
For High Voltage transmission, we can not step
up or step down the level of DC Voltage by using
transformers
Several limitations, as well as high cost of DC
Switches and Circuit breakers
Motor generator set is used for step down the
level of DC voltage and the efficiency of Motor-
generator set is low than transformer, which
makes the system makes complex and costly.
 Advantages Of HVAC transmission

Low cost of circuit breakers and other

components
Repairing and maintenance is easy and
inexpensive
The Level of AC voltage may changed as per
requirement using step up and Step down
transformers.
 Disadvantages Of HVAC transmission

Size and cost of conductor is greater than DC

Line.
Skin effect, corona, capacitance,inductance
increase line losses
More insulation required in AC System due to
Vpeak
Telecommunication interference in AC System.
Stability and synchronizing problems while
coneecting two AC Systems
Low efficiency of transmission
Comparison between Overhead and Underground
Transmission Lines
Overhead System Underground System
1.The size of conductor for same amount 1. The size of conductor is quite large in
of power is small underground system.

2. The amount of insulation is less as 2. Very high degree of insulation is

overhead lines are open to atmosphere required as the underground cables is
and hence air provides the necessary laid under the ground hence area is very
insulation. compact.

3. Heat can be dissipated easily in the 3. Heat dissipation is very difficult and
surroundings as overhead hence number of insulating layers are
lines are open to atmosphere. added to the cable.

4.Overhead system is very cheap as no

4. Very costly, because a number of
insulation coating is used over the
insulation layers has to be used to
conductors i.e., the conductors used are
provide sufficient insulation.
bare conductors

5.Faults can be detected easily 5. Fault detection is very complicated.

 Overhead System Underground System

6. Maintenance work is very simple. 6. Maintenance work is very complex.

7. It is used for short distance

7. It is used for long distance
transmission
transmission.
or distribution.

8. Public safety is less. 8. Public safety is more.

9. Faces problems due to interference

9. No interference with the
with neighbouring communication
communication lines.
system.

10. They are liable to hazards from 10. Not liable to the hazards from
lightning discharges. lightning discharges.

11. This system cant be used near 11. It can be used near submarine
submarine crossings. crossings.
Barring a few exceptions, 3-phase 3-wire AC
system is invariably used for transmission
and 3-phase 4-wire AC is used for
distribution of electric power.

DC links are commonly used to connect

two different AC systems, operating at same
or different frequencies.
 Why 3- AC instead of 1- AC?

Power to weight ratio of 3- alternator,

induction motor, transformer is higher as
compared to the respective 1-
counterparts.
Requirement of conductor material is less
in 3- system as compared to 1- system.
Higher reliability
Higher power factor of 3- motors as
compared to 1- motors
The supply frequency is chosen as 50 Hz or
60 Hz
 Why not Higher Frequency?

It increases series impedance in transmission system,

thereby reducing power transfer capability
Constant losses(due to hysteresis and eddy current) are
directly proportional to frequency and its square, so
they may increases system losses.
Harmonics with higher frequency can carry more
power it introduce excess heat losses.
Mechanical difficulty in constructing an alternator with
very high power rating to operate at higher frequencies
 Why not Lower Frequency?

Perceptible flickering in filament lamp, starting

problem in arc lamp and arcing devices so they need
additional devices to start purpose and maintaining
better operation-this increases the overall system
cost

Lower frequency devices are larger in size than higher

frequency devices-so material required for
construction as well as the cost involved both
increase.
 Types of Overhead Conductors
AAC (All Aluminium Conductor)
ACAR (Aluminium Conductor, Aluminium
Reinforce)
AAAC (All Aluminium Alloy Conductor)
ACSR (Aluminium Conductor Steel
Reinforced)
IACS (International Annealed Copper Stand)
 Types of Underground Cables

OIL FILLED PIPE TYPE CABLE

OIL FILLED SELF CONTAINED CABLE

SOLID DIELECTRIC CABLE

SF6 CABLE
 DISTRIBUTION
The distribution system consists of a
network overhead lines and underground
cables by which the power is distributed
to the ultimate users of electricity that is
the load
 LOAD
The utilization of electric power is
collectively called load. This includes the
uses of electricity in homes, factories,
offices and for recreation, entertainment,
etc
 SYSTEM VOLTAGES
Generation voltages are in the range of 12-35KV

Transmission voltages are in the range of 115-800

KV.

Distribution voltages are in the range of 4-35 KV.

Loads operate at variety of voltages due to their

diverse nature.
Thank You