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1.2. Calculate the power output of the ideal energy converter.
kW
x
Power
Power M
m
08 . 157
60
2 3000
500 =
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1.3 Power System Load
An electric load (or demand) is the power requirement of any device or equipment that
converts electric energy into light, heat, or mechanical energy. The power system load is
the total of all such loads connected to the system. As such, the load is never constant,
varying daily, weekly, monthly, and yearly as loads are added or subtracted from the
power system. The minimum system load for a given period is called the base load. The
maximum system load for a given period is known as the peak load or peak demand. The
peak demand is usually quite short in duration. The operation of generation plants must
be closely coordinated with the load demands to ensure that enough generation capacity
is on line. On weekdays, the base load generally begins increasing at about 5:00 a.m.,
and hits peak load around 7:00 p.m. Maximum yearly peak loads generally occur during
the summer.
As more people and businesses connect to an electric system, the amount of load on the
system will increase. Load forecasting is performed to ensure that power system
generating capacity will be adequate to meet these future load demands. Power stations
take years to build, so it is necessary to plan well in advance. One important part of load
forecasting is the idea of the load growth rate. This is the estimated rate at which load on
the power system will increase. It is generally based on historical data. The growth rate
of the system load L is mathematically represented by
aL
dt
dL
=
where a is the constant of proportionality, also known as the per-unit growth rate. The
solution to this equation is written as
at
e L L
0
=
where L
0
is the value of L at t = 0. At any two values of time, t
1
and t
2
, the ratio of the
corresponding L
1
and L
2
is
) (
1
2
1 2
t t a
e
L
L
=
This equation may be used to determine the time t
k
such that L
2
= kL
1
and t
2
-t
1
= t
k
, given
by
a
k
t
k
ln
=
When talking about the growth rate of a quantity, the term "doubling time" is often used.
The doubling time is the period necessary to double the initial value of load L, given a
constant value of a.
a a
t
693 . 0 2 ln
2
= =
Doubling time is used to describe how long it will take, at a constant growth rate, to use
twice what is currently used. For example, assuming a present peak energy demand of
10000 MW, and a 10 percent growth rate in the peak demand, the doubling time for
energy demand is 6.93 years. This means that peak energy demand in about 7 years will
equal 20 GW, or twice the current peak demand. Obviously, setting a steady growth rate
for the use of any quantity is unrealistic, as the growth rate depends on many factors.
1.4 Environmental Impact of Electricity Generation and
Transmission
All energy conversion methods used to produce electricity have some environmental
impact. The impact may have an active effect like the emission of airborne pollutants, or
may have a passive effect like aesthetics or habitat modification. Even methods
considered environmentally friendly, like wind, solar, and hydro, have some impact on
the environment. Not only does the production of electricity have an environmental
impact, but the transmission of electricity, with concerns over electromagnetic fields,
aesthetics, and land use, has an impact as well.
The whole cycle of electricity generation must be considered when looking at the
environmental impact. This includes the production and transportation of fuel for the
conversion process. This is especially true of fossil fuel and nuclear power plants, which
use large quantities of fuel taken from the earth.
Fossil fuel power plants generally have the most widespread effect on the environment,
as the combustion process produces airborne pollutants that spread over a wide area.
Nuclear power plants have the most potentially dangerous effect. An operating accident
at a nuclear station could allow a large release of radioactive particles to occur. Solar,
hydro, and wind power plants generally have a small effect on the environment.
Fossil Fuel Power Plants
Fossil fuel power plants produce environmental problems including land and water use,
air emissions, thermal releases, climatic and visual impacts from cooling towers, solid
waste disposal, ash disposal (for coal), and noise. Due to the need for large amounts of
steam, plants can have a great effect on water use. For example, a typical 500 MW coal
fired power plant uses 25 x 10
9
litres/GW-year of water, which must be taken from a
water source, and then cooled to return to the water source with as little environmental
effect as possible. The biggest effect fossil fuel plants have overall is the emission of air
pollutants, particularly SO
X
, NO
X
, CO, CO
2
, and hydrocarbons. CO, CO
2
and
hydrocarbons are the greenhouse gases, possibly responsible for global warming. SO
X
and NO
X
can produce acid when released into the atmosphere, leading to the production
of acid rain. Table 1.1 list approximate amounts of airborne pollutants produced.
Generally, air emissions are controlled by the use of scrubbers and precipitators located at
the plant.
Plant Type CO NO
X
SO
2
CO
2
Coal 0.11 3.54 9.26 1090
Oil 0.19 2.02 5.08 781
Gas 0.20 2.32 0.004 490
Table 1.1 Power Plant Emissions (g/kWh)
Hydro
The use of hydropower to produce electricity can have both positive and negative effects
on the environment. At some sites, a dam may help with flood control, flow regulation,
or the reservoir may provide recreational opportunities. At other sites, the dam may have
adverse effects on the hydrological cycle, water quality of the stream, stream ecology,
fish migration, and cause the destruction of landscapes and ecosystems. Building new
high-head dams requires the displacement and compensation of populations. Low-head
dams generally have a benign effect on the environment. Dam failures can lead to
catastrophic floods.
Nuclear Power Plants
Nuclear power plants have one environmental issue no other form of electrical power
plant does. An accident at a nuclear power plant may release large amounts of
radioactive particles, possibly resulting in a direct loss of life, and rendering a large land
area immediately around the plant unlivable. The largest regular environmental impact is
the disposal of the high level nuclear waste contained in spent fuel rods, as this waste
must be stored safely for thousands of years. A long term issue is the decommissioning
of nuclear power plants. Decommissioning is shutting down a nuclear plant after its
operational life is over. At this point the entire reactor vessel becomes a high level
radioactive waste that must be disposed. The current methods of decommissioning a
plant are to completely remove and dispose of all radioactive components, to entomb the
reactor in concrete, or simply to shut the plant down and restrict access until the
radioactivity dies out.
Transmission of bulk electricity from the generating station to the load uses conductors
suspended on large towers, known as transmission lines. Traditionally these lines have
been viewed only as an aesthetic nuisance that could cause communications interference
and be a hazard to low flying aircraft. Today, there are other concerns considered about
the effect of transmission lines on the environment. Greater concern is placed on the
effect of the lines on the natural habitat. The major new issue is the effect of
electromagnetic fields (EMFs) on human health.
1.5 The Generation Subsystem
The electric power system consists of three main subsystems: the generation subsystem,
the transmission subsystem, and the distribution subsystem. Electricity is generated at
the generating station by converting a primary source of energy to electrical energy.
Alternating current synchronous generators are the main source of electrical energy.
These generators convert energy from a primary form to the electrical form. Energy is
input to the generator in the form of mechanical torque from a prime mover or turbine.
The turbine in turn is powered by a moving fluid either steam or water. The current
sources of nearly all the electrical energy distributed come from the conversion of
chemical energy of fossil fuels, kinetic energy of water, and nuclear fission energy.
Some renewable sources of energy like wind, solar, and geothermal are also used. The
synchronous generators typically range in size from 50 kW to over 1300 MW, and
operate at voltage levels from 480 V to 25 kV. The output delivered by the generators is
a balanced set of three phase ac voltages.
Transmission
Substation
Sub-Transmission
Substation
Extra-High-Voltage
Transmission Substation
Transmission
Lines
Turbine
Generator
~
Step-up
Transformer
500 kV
220 kV
Distribution
Transformer
110 kV
0.4 kV
Distribution Subsystem (35, 22,10, 6 kV)
T
Figure 1.2 Example of a Power System in Vietnam
In fossil fuel plants, the source of heat energy is the combustion of the fossil fuel. When
coal is used, crushed coal is conveyed to a pulverizer where the fuel is ground to a
consistency of face powder. The pulverized coal is then fed to burners where it
undergoes combustion. The thermal energy produced is then used to heat water in a
boiler to produce steam, and stored in the form of internal energy of the steam. The
steam flows into the turbine where this internal energy is released as mechanical energy.
Alternatively, natural gas or petroleum can also be combusted to produce the source of
heat energy.
The turbine is a device used to convert the stored energy of high-pressure and high-
temperature steam into rotational energy. The steam fed to the turbine is passed through
a series of stages, each of which consists of stationary blades, and moving blades attached
to a rotor. The stationary blades accelerate the steam to high velocity, and this kinetic
energy is converted into shaft rotation by the moving blades. The turbine then provides
the rotational energy to the synchronous generator.
Combined cycle plants using gas turbines, heat recovery steam generators, and a steam
turbine have the advantage of superior heat rates. Gas turbines are an important part of
the utility system generation mix. The gas turbine has characteristics that make it
attractive both for generation to meet peak loads and for base-load operation.
In a simple cycle combustion turbine, air at atmospheric pressure and temperature is
compressed to raise its temperature and pressure. The pressurized air is partly combusted
with fuel and passed to the turbine. The fuel used could be gaseous, or liquid fuels, or
combinations of different fuels.
The gases exhausting from the combustion turbine are quite hot. In a combined cycle
plant, these gases are used to generate steam for a steam turbine. This system
incorporates some of the features of a conventional fossil-fired unit.
With the advent of energy consciousness, and the drive to improve energy efficiency,
cogeneration has become an important source of energy production. Electricity is
produced coincidetally with thermal energy. Two different schemes are normally used in
co-generation: topping and bottoming cycles. In the topping system electricity is
first produced ("on top"). Waste heat is used in some industrial process or to provide
heating. In the bottoming system, the heat energy is first used in the process. Waste heat
from the process is used to produce electricity ("on bottom").
In a hydroelectric plant, the electrical energy is derived from falling water. Water is
typically stored by a dam. It is then delivered using pen-stocks or pipes to the hydraulic
turbine, which in turn supplies mechanical energy to the generator. Hydraulic turbines
are of two basic types, impulse and reaction. The impulse turbine is also known as the
Pelton wheel. It is used in high-head plants, where the head (fall of water) is 305 meters
or more. The impulse turbine usually has a horizontal shaft. In the Pelton wheel, kinetic
energy is derived by converting the fall of water into one or more high-velocity jets
located around the periphery of the wheel and directed into spoon-shaped buckets.
Reaction type turbines are of two general types, Francis and propeller. In both types the
water passages are completely filled with water. The energy which drives the wheel is in
both kinetic and "pressure head" form.
The output of the generators is fed to a unit transformer which steps-up the voltage to the
appropriate transmission level.
1.6 The Transmission Subsystem
The electrical power produced at generating stations is transported or moved to areas
close to load locations by the transmission subsystem. Transmission lines are a major
component of this subsystem.
Transmission lines could be underground or overhead. The latter kind are more common.
Transmission line voltages range from 110 kV to 765 kV. Overhead transmission lines
span long distances and use bare conductors. As a result, they must be connected by
insulated mechanical connections to towers or poles which support them. A transmission
line consists of conductors, insulators, mechanical supports, and usually shield wires.
Aluminum conductor, steel reinforced (ACSR), conductors are most commonly used for
high-voltage transmission lines. Compared to other conductor material, they have low
cost and high strength-to-weight ratio. Suspension type insulators are used. The material
most commonly used for insulators is porcelain. New polymer materials are also being
used to make insulators. Shield wires are used to protect the energized conductors from
lightning.
Underground transmission is mainly used in urban areas where right-of-way costs are
high. Underground cables cost on an average, about 8-15 times more than overhead lines
on a $/MVA-km basis. Underground cables also have the disadvantage of poor
accessibility.
Transformers are an important part of the transmission subsystem. The transformer is a
static device which transfers electrical energy from one circuit magnetically coupled with
another. In doing so, they can transform voltage levels in the magnetically coupled
circuits. Different types of transformer are used in the transmission subsystem. Power
transformers are used to step-up, or step-down voltages. On load tap changing
transformers are used to regulate voltages. Auto-transformers are used for most ties
between moderate-voltage and high voltage transmission, high-voltage and extra-high
voltage circuits. Phase shifting transformers are used to regulate the flow of real power.
Switchgear constitutes an essential component of the transmission subsystem. Under
normal operating conditions, it provides the means to perform routine switching
operations, e.g., disconnecting and isolating various equipment for maintenance,
inspection, or replacement, transferring load, isolating regulators, etc. Under abnormal
conditions, switchgear provides the means for automatically isolating parts of the system
in trouble to prevent damage and to localize the problem. The main components of the
switchgear include, circuit breakers, disconnecting switches, fuse, instrument
transformers, buses and connections, supporting insulators, protective and control relays,
and control switches.
A substation houses all equipment involved in the switching or regulating of electricity.
Substations can be large or small. Control can be automatic or manual.
1.7 The Distribution Subsystem
The sub-transmission system designates the circuits, which deliver energy from the
transmission subsystem to the distribution subsystem. Usually the transmission
substations supply the sub-transmission system, but it is still referred to as the sub-
transmission. Many sub-transmission systems were previously transmission lines. Load
growth and demand for more power resulted in the transmission voltage being too low.
As a result, in Vietnam, voltages from110 kV down to 35, 22, 10, 6 kV are found in sub-
transmission systems.
The distribution subsystem includes the primary circuits and the distribution substations
that supply them, the distribution transformers, the secondary circuits, including the
components all the way up to the entrance of the customer's premises, and the protective
and control devices. The primary circuit is three-phase and is operated in the 6-35 kV
range. The secondary circuits serve most of the customers at levels of 220 volts single-
phase, or 380 volts three-phase.
The various other components used in the distribution subsystem include: distribution
transformers, automatic circuit reclosers, cut-outs (a combination fuse and knife switch
used on power poles), surge arresters, separable connectors, capacitors and voltage
regulators, and metering.
1.8 Power Industry Structure
The traditional structure of the electric power system was a single company that owned
and operated all of the components of the system. This included the generation,
transmission and distribution subsystems along with all communications and control
systems. This structure is changing dramatically since the deregulation of the industry
was implemented in some industrialised countries in the early 1990s. Since this time,
each company has been reorganized to fit the expected structure of the industry within the
very near future. This structure assumes that the companies are segmented into
generation (GENCO), transmission (TRANSCO), distribution (DISTCOS) and
independent system operator (ISO) companies or independent contract administration
(ICA) business units. The GENCOs are responsible for providing (selling) electric
generation according to contracts along with any auxiliary services as required for the
customer or the transmission grid. The TRANSCOs are responsible for the maintenance
of the transmission equipment to enable the transmission grid to transport electricity
according to schedules with auxiliary services as required. The DISTCOs are responsible
for providing (purchasing) electricity along with any auxiliary services to the ultimate
customer(s). The ICA is responsible for matching the schedules (transmission grid
support, schedule control and accounting, control and communication facilities and
personnel) such that the transmission grid can transport the electricity and such that
auxiliary services are available as required. The ISO is responsible for coordination of
the maintenance schedules subject to the contracts and operating restrictions of the
transmission system.