ELECTRICITY POWER GENERATING STATION

Introduction: 

Firstly we should considered electricity,which is mostly need our modern world because of our dependence with electricity The ever increasing use of electric power for domestic, commercial and industrial purposes necessitates to provide bulk electric power economically. This is achieved with the help of suitable power producing units, known as Power plants or Electric power generating stations.

power plants :

power plants is also called generating station.Bulk electric power that can be produced by special plants is known as power plants or generating stations.

A generating station essentially employs a prime mover coupled to an alternator for the production of electric power. The prime mover (e.g.,steam turbine, water turbine etc.) converts energy from some other form into mechanical energy. The alternator converts mechanical energy of the prime mover into electrical energy. The electrical energy produced by the generating station is transmitted and distributed with the help of conductors to various consumers.

Depending upon the form of energy converted into electrical energy, the generating stations are classified are,

(i) Steam power stations    (ii) Hydroelectric power stations 

(iii) Diesel power stations  (iv) Nuclear power stations

Thermal station:

A thermal station which converts heat energy of coal combustion into electrical energy is known as a steam power station. A steam power station basically works on the Rankine cycle. 

Steam is produced in the boiler by utilising the heat of coal combustion. The steam is then expanded in the prime mover (i.e., steam turbine) and is condensed in a condenser to be fed into the boiler again. The steam turbine drives the alternator which converts mechanical energy of the turbine into electrical energy. This type of power station is suitable where coal and water are available in abundance and a large amount of electric power is to be generated.
advantages:

1. The fuel used is coal,which is cheap.
2. The initial cost is less as compared to other power station.
3. The fuel is easily available.
4. The fuel can be easily transported to the site hence can be anywhere and not always near the coal mines.
5. It requires less floor space area  compared to hydro electric power station.

Disadvantages:

1. due to smoke and fume,pollutes surronding atmosphere.
2. running cost is higher.

Hydro electric power station:

A power generating station which uses the potential or the kinetic energy of water for the generating of an electrical energy is called Hydro electric power station.

Hydro-electric power stations are generally located in hilly areas where dams can be built conveniently and large water reservoirs can be obtained. In a hydro-electric power station, water head is

created by constructing a dam across a river or lake. From the dam, water is led to a water turbine. The water turbine captures the energy in the falling water and changes the hydraulic energy (i.e.,

product of head and flow of water) into mechanical energy at the turbine shaft. The turbine drives the alternator which converts mechanical energy into electrical energy. Hydro-electric power stations are becoming very popular because the reserves of fuels (i.e., coal and oil) are depleting day by day. They have the added importance for flood control, storage of water for irrigation and water for drinking purposes.

advantages:

1. requires no fuel as water is used.
2. It doesn't pollute the atmosphere.
3. The operating cost is very low as free of water supply is available.
4. It gives high efficiency and improves the overall efficiency.It is comparatively simple in construction and requires less maintenance.

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