CHAPTER 1

FUNDAMENTALS OF POWER SYSTEMS

Electric Power Systems and its components
Electric power system is a network of electrical components used to
supply, transmit and use electric power.
electric power system is a network of electrical components used to
supply, transmit and use electric power
The production and transmission of electricity is relatively efficient and
inexpensive, although unlike other forms of energy, electricity is not
easily stored and thus must generally be used as it is being produced.

Sources of Power` Delivery System Customers

Components of an Electric Power System
A modern electric power system consists of six main components:
1. The power station
2. A set of transformers to raise the generated power to the high voltages used
on the transmission lines
3. The transmission lines
4. The substations at which the power is stepped down to the voltage on the
distribution lines
5. The distribution lines
6. The transformers that lower the distribution voltage to the level used by the
consumer's equipment

General block diagram of a complete Electrical Power System

Power Station
The power station of a power system consists of a prime mover, such as a
turbine driven by water, steam, or combustion gases that operate a system of
electric motors and generators.
Most of the world's electric power is generated in steam plants driven by coal,
oil, nuclear energy, or gas.
A smaller percentage of the worlds electric power is generated by
hydroelectric (waterpower), diesel, and internal-combustion plants.

Prime AC or DC
Mover Generator
(Alternator)
Transformers
Modern electric power systems use transformers to convert
electricity into different voltages.
With transformers, each stage of the system can be operated at
an appropriate voltage.
Transmission Lines
The lines of high-voltage transmission systems are usually
composed of wires of copper, aluminum, or copper-clad or
aluminum-clad steel, which are suspended from tall latticework
towers of steel by strings of porcelain insulators.
Supplementary Equipment
Any electric-distribution system involves a large amount of
supplementary equipment to protect the generators, transformers, and
the transmission lines them selves. The system often includes devices
designed to regulate the voltage or other characteristics of power
delivered to consumers.
 To protect all elements of a power system from short circuits and
overloads, and for normal switching operations, circuit breakers
are employed.

These breakers are large switches that are activated automatically

in the event of a short circuit or other condition that produces a
sudden rise of current.

In large air-type circuit breakers, as well as in oil breakers,

magnetic fields are used to break up the current.
Small air-circuit breakers are used for protection in shops,
factories, and in modern home installations.

In residential electric wiring, fuses were once commonly

employed for the same purpose.
Single Line Diagrams (or One line Diagrams)
Single line diagrams represent the interconnection of the power system
components using symbols.
Structure of simple electric power system
Generation of Electrical Energy.
The conversion of energy available in different forms in nature into
electrical energy is known as generation of electrical energy.
Power Generation
Energy from Source

Prime Mover AC or DC
Generator
(Alternator)

General block diagram of a power generation scheme

Prime mover:
The machine which rotates the Electric generator is known as Prime mover
Examples:
Turbines
Steam Turbine, Gas Turbine, Hydraulic Turbine, Wind Turbine.
At AL-Kamil Power station Gas turbine is the Prime mover to drive the 3 phase
alternator.
Engines (Diesel, Petrol or Gas type)
In our college campus, Diesel Engine is the Prime mover to drive
the 3 phase alternator.
Electric Motors. (DC or AC type)
In electrical machines laboratory, DC and AC motors are the prime
movers coupled to the generators.
Diesel Power Plant
 A Diesel power station (also known as Stand-by power station) uses a
diesel engine as prime mover for the generation of electrical energy.
This power station is generally compact and thus can be located where it
is actually required. This kind of power station can be used to produce
limited amounts of electrical energy. In most countries these power
stations are used as emergency supply stations.
Operation
The diesel burns inside the engine and the combustion process moves a
fluid that turns the engine shaft and drives the alternator. The alternator
in turn, converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
This type of electricity generating power station will probably be used a
long time into the future, due to a need for reliable stand-by electrical
source for emergency situations.
However, diesel power plants emit green house gases that pollute the
environment and also require frequent servicing
 Advantages Disadvantages

Simple design & layout of plant High running charges due to costly price of Diesel

Plant does not work efficiently under prolonged overload

Occupies less space & is compact
conditions

Can be started quickly and picks up load in a short time Generates small amount of power

Requires less water for cooling Cost of lubrication very high

Thermal efficiency better that of Steam Power plant of same

Maintenance charges are generally high
size

Overall cost is cheaper than that of Steam Power plant of same

.
size

Requires no Operating staff .

No stand-by losses .
Steam Power Plant
Fuel

Boiler AC Generator
Steam (Alternator)
Turbine
be

The power stations are used as base load power stations. This is
because steam power stations are slow to start and can not be
used to cater for peak loads that generally occur for a short
duration.
These power stations (together with nuclear power stations) are
kept running very close to full efficiency for 24 hours a day (unless
they are being maintained). They have typical life of 30 to 40 years
(although most governments have reduced this number to 35
years).
 Advantages Disadvantages

Cheap coal is used Air pollution from smoke fumes

Can be installed anywhere near fuel & water Costs more to run compared with other types of power
supply stations

Requires less construction space

Cost for Generation is less

Gas Power Plant
This power station is run with natural gas as fuel.
The turbines draw in air at the front of the unit and then compress; mix
with fuel and ignite the mixture at high pressure.
The hot gas released expands through the turbine blades connected to
the turbine shaft.
The shaft turns thus developing mechanical energy which is converted
into electrical energy by the generator.

Natural Gas Air

Prime Mover AC Generator

(Gas Turbine) (Alternator)
Hydro Electric Power Plant
The hydraulic energy of water is converted to rotational mechanical
energy by the turbine.
The turbine is connected to the generator through the turbine shaft and
hence mechanical energy is converted into electrical energy by the
generator.
High pressure water

Prime Mover AC Generator

(Water Wheel/Hydraulic (Alternator)
Turbine)

Advantages
Requires no fuel, thus called clean power
station
Small running charges and no need for
specialised manpower
Simple construction & requires less
maintenance
Very robust & has long life
Also used for flood control and irrigation
Disadvantages
Very high capital cost for dam construction
Uncertainty about availability of huge amounts
of water
Skilled personel required for construction
High cost of transmission line as plant is located
in hilly areas.
Impacts native watershed ecology
AC or DC Power

Prime Mover AC or DC
AC or DC Motor Generator

Conventional and Non conventional Energy

Conventional energy Non-conventional energy
Hydroelectric Solar energy
Gas type Wave energy
Steam type Wind power