⚡ 1. Basics of Power System
- Functions: Generation, Transmission, Distribution.
- SMES (Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage): Stores energy in magnetic form.
- Compressed Air: Used for energy storage in large volumes.
🔌 2. Types of Generating Units
- Hydrocarbons: Coal, Oil, Gas
- Hydro: Water
- Nuclear: Uranium
- Non-Conventional: Solar, Wind, Tidal, Geothermal
🔀 3. Conventional vs Non-Conventional Energy
| Conventional | Non-Conventional |
|---|---|
| Exhaustible | Inexhaustible |
| Causes Pollution | Eco-friendly |
| High Cost | Cost-effective |
| Complex Storage | Easy Maintenance |
📈 4. India’s Power Scenario
Installed Capacity:- Central: 94,027 MW
- State: 1,03,617 MW
- Private: 1,75,050 MW
- Total: 3,72,694 MW
- Thermal: 62.1%
- Hydro: 12.3%
- Nuclear: 1.8%
- Renewable: 23.8%
🌊 5. Hydro Power Plant
- Components: Dam, Reservoir, Penstock, Turbines, Alternator
- Types Based on Head:
- Low Head: < 30m
- Medium Head: 30-100m
- High Head: > 100m
- Merits: No fuel, Eco-friendly, Fast startup
- Demerits: High cost, Seasonal dependency
🔥 6. Thermal Power Plant
- Works on Rankine Cycle
- Main Parts: Boiler, Furnace, Turbine, Condenser, Cooling Tower
- Efficiency: ~29%
- Circuits:
- Fuel and Ash: Coal → Boiler → Ash Handling
- Air & Flue Gas: Fan → Preheater → Chimney
- Steam & Water: Boiler → Turbine → Condenser
- Coal Types: Peat, Lignite, Bituminous, Anthracite (based on calorific value)
☢️ 7. Nuclear Power Plant
- Principle: Nuclear Fission
- Main Components:
- Reactor Core
- Moderator (Graphite, D₂O)
- Control Rods (Boron, Cadmium)
- Coolant (Sodium, CO₂)
- Reflector and Shielding
- Efficiency: 30–40%
- Types: BWR, PWR, CANDU, FBR, etc.
🛢️ 8. Diesel Power Plant
- Uses: Emergency, Standby, Mobile units
- Advantages: Portable, Less staff, Quick start
- Disadvantages: High fuel cost, Small capacity
🔥 9. Gas Turbine Plant
- Fuel: Natural Gas (Methane)
- Efficiency: 32%–38%
- Merits: Compact, Fast operation
- Demerits: Low efficiency, Noisy
☀️ 10. Solar Energy
- Solar Cell Efficiency: ~15%
- Bypass Diode: Protects panel during shading
- Materials: Mono & Poly silicon, CdTe, CIS
- Efficiency Limit: Defined by Shockley-Queisser limit (~33.7%)
🌍 11. Geothermal Energy
- Types:
- Hydrothermal
- Geo-pressured
- Petrothermal
- Power Generation Methods:
- Indirect Condensing Cycle
- Direct Non-condensing Cycle
- Efficiency: 7–10%
🌊 12. Tidal & Wave Energy
- Types:
- Tidal Stream Generator
- Tidal Barrage (Single & Double basin)
- Dynamic Tidal Power
- Turbines: Kaplan, Propeller, Bulb
- Challenges: Ecological effects, corrosion, high cost
💸 13. Economics of Power Generation
- Load Factor: Avg Load / Peak Load
- Diversity Factor: Sum of indiv. peak load / max system load
- Plant Use Factor: Energy generated / Max possible energy
- Capacity Factor: Avg demand / Installed capacity
- Reserve Types: Cold, Hot, Spinning
💰 14. Cost Components
- Fixed Cost – Land, Equipment, Salaries
- Semi-Fixed – Investment Interest, Depreciation
- Running Cost – Fuel, Maintenance
📉 15. Depreciation Methods
- Straight Line
- Declining Balance
- Sinking Fund
✅ FAQs: Basics of Power System
Q1. What are the main functions of a power system?
Ans: The three main functions of a power system are generation, transmission, and distribution of electrical energy.
Q2. What is SMES in power systems?
Ans: SMES (Superconducting Magnetic Energy Storage) is a device that stores energy in the form of a magnetic field using superconducting coils.
Q3. How is compressed air used in energy storage?
Ans: Compressed air is stored in large underground reservoirs and released to generate electricity during peak demand using turbines.
⚙️ FAQs: Types of Generating Units
Q4. What are the major types of generating units?
Ans: Power generation units include Thermal (coal, oil, gas), Hydro (water), Nuclear (uranium), and Renewable sources like solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal.
Q5. Which energy sources are renewable?
Ans: Solar, wind, tidal, and geothermal are renewable energy sources as they are naturally replenished and eco-friendly.
♻️ FAQs: Conventional vs Non-Conventional Energy
Q6. What is the difference between conventional and non-conventional energy?
Ans: Conventional energy sources are exhaustible and polluting, whereas non-conventional sources are inexhaustible and environment-friendly.
Q7. Which energy type is more cost-effective?
Ans: Non-conventional energy like solar and wind is generally more cost-effective in the long run with low maintenance.
🇮🇳 FAQs: India’s Power Sector
Q8. What is India’s total installed power generation capacity?
Ans: As per the latest data, India has a total installed capacity of 3,72,694 MW.
Q9. What is the major source of power in India?
Ans: Thermal power contributes the largest share at 62.1% of India's total electricity generation.
🌊 FAQs: Hydro Power Plant
Q10. What are the main components of a hydro power plant?
Ans: Key components include dam, reservoir, penstock, turbine, and alternator.
Q11. What are the types of hydro plants based on head?
Ans:
- Low Head: < 30m
- Medium Head: 30–100m
- High Head: > 100m
🔥 FAQs: Thermal Power Plant
Q12. On which cycle does a thermal power plant work?
Ans: Thermal power plants operate on the Rankine Cycle.
Q13. What is the average efficiency of a thermal power plant?
Ans: The efficiency of a thermal power plant is around 29%.
☢️ FAQs: Nuclear Power Plant
Q14. What is the working principle of a nuclear power plant?
Ans: It works on the principle of nuclear fission, releasing heat to generate electricity.
Q15. What are common reactor types in nuclear power plants?
Ans: BWR, PWR, CANDU, and FBR are commonly used reactor types.
🛢️ FAQs: Diesel Power Plant
Q16. Where are diesel power plants used?
Ans: They are used for emergency, standby, and mobile power applications.
Q17. What are the drawbacks of diesel power plants?
Ans: High fuel cost and limited power capacity are major disadvantages.
🔥 FAQs: Gas Turbine Plant
Q18. What fuel is used in gas turbine power plants?
Ans: They primarily use natural gas, especially methane.
Q19. What is the efficiency range of gas turbine plants?
Ans: Their efficiency ranges between 32% and 38%.
☀️ FAQs: Solar Energy
Q20. What is the average efficiency of solar cells?
Ans: Solar cells have an efficiency of around 15%.
Q21. What is the Shockley-Queisser limit?
Ans: It is the theoretical maximum efficiency of a solar cell, approximately 33.7%.
🌍 FAQs: Geothermal Energy
Q22. What are the main types of geothermal energy systems?
Ans: The three types are hydrothermal, geo-pressured, and petrothermal systems.
Q23. What is the efficiency of geothermal power plants?
Ans: Geothermal plants typically operate at an efficiency of 7%–10%.
🌊 FAQs: Tidal & Wave Energy
Q24. What are the main types of tidal energy systems?
Ans: They include tidal stream generators, barrage systems, and dynamic tidal power setups.
Q25. What are the challenges of tidal energy?
Ans: High cost, corrosion, and environmental impact are key challenges.
💸 FAQs: Economics of Power Generation
Q26. What is load factor in power plants?
Ans: Load factor = Average Load / Peak Load, indicating plant utilization.
Q27. What is the diversity factor?
Ans: Diversity factor = Sum of individual peak loads / Maximum system load.
💰 FAQs: Power Generation Cost Components
Q28. What are the fixed and running costs in power plants?
Ans:
- Fixed costs: Land, Equipment, Salaries
- Running costs: Fuel, Maintenance
📉 FAQs: Depreciation Methods
Q29. What are common methods of depreciation in power systems?
Ans: The main depreciation methods are:
- Straight Line Method
- Declining Balance Method
- Sinking Fund Method