EFS Chapter 9 Centralized Electric Power Systems

Centralized Electric Power Systems

Systems that provide electricity to a large area through a network of power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks.

Electric Power Grid

The network of power plants, transmission lines, and distribution networks that provide electricity to a specific area.

High-voltage transmission lines

Power lines that carry electricity at high voltages over long distances.

Generating capacity

The maximum amount of electricity that can be produced by power plants in a given area.

Power demands

The amount of electricity needed by customers at any given time.

National Academy of Engineering

An organization that recognizes the electric power grid as the greatest engineering achievement of the 20th century.

Carbon-free nuclear power

Nuclear power generation that does not produce carbon emissions.

Renewables

Sources of energy that are naturally replenished, such as solar, wind, and hydroelectric power.

Fossil fuels

Non-renewable sources of energy, such as coal and natural gas.

Electromagnetism

The branch of physics that deals with the interaction between electricity and magnetism.

Electrical generators

Devices that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy.

Electrical motors

Devices that convert electrical energy into mechanical energy.

Direct current dynamos

Early generators that produced direct current electricity.

Alternating current generators

Generators that produce alternating current electricity.

Electromagnet

A magnet created by passing an electric current through a coil of wire.

Direct current (dc) motor/generator

A device that can act as both a motor and a generator, converting electrical energy into mechanical energy and vice versa.

Commutator

A device that allows the flow of direct current in a motor or generator.

Incandescent lamp

A type of light bulb that produces light by heating a filament.

Thomas Alva Edison

An inventor who created the first practical incandescent lamp and established the first investor-owned utility in the United States.

Direct current (dc)

A type of electric current that flows in one direction only.

Centralized Electric Power Systems

Power systems in which electricity is generated at centralized locations and distributed to customers through power lines.

DC Motors

Motors that run on direct current (DC) electricity.

Power Lines

The lines that transmit electricity from generators to loads.

Power Losses

The amount of power lost in the transmission of electricity through power lines.

Transformers

Devices that change the voltage of electricity, allowing for efficient transmission over long distances.

Alternating Current (AC)

Electric current that periodically reverses direction, commonly used in power transmission.

Edison

Referring to Thomas Edison, an inventor and businessman who played a significant role in the development of electric power systems.

Westinghouse

Referring to George Westinghouse, an inventor and entrepreneur who competed with Edison in the electric power industry.

Feud

A bitter and prolonged conflict or rivalry.

AC Power

Electric power transmitted using alternating current.

Safety Hazard

A potential danger or risk to the safety of individuals.

High Voltages

Electric voltages that are significantly above normal levels.

Electrocution

Death or injury caused by electric shock.

Capital Punishment

The legally authorized killing of someone as punishment for a crime.

Electric Chair

A device used for execution by electrocution.

General Electric Company

A company formed in 1892 that focused on manufacturing electrical equipment and devices.

Transmission Line

A line used to transmit electricity over long distances.

Flicker Problem

The issue of inconsistent or noticeable fluctuations in the brightness of electric lights.

Incandescent Lamps

Light bulbs that produce light by heating a filament until it glows.

Samuel Insull

An important figure in the development of electric utilities and the business side of the industry.

Centralized Electric Power Systems

A system in which multiple generators are integrated to satisfy the electricity demand of industrial facilities, street lighting, streetcars, and residential loads. This system allows for lower prices and increased demand.

Rural electrification

The extension of electric power to rural areas, which is made possible by the integration of loads in centralized electric power systems.

Regulated monopolies

Utility companies with established franchise territories and prices controlled by public utility commissions (PUCs). This concept was introduced to counter the inefficiencies and high prices associated with multiple power companies competing for the same customers.

Electric Power Infrastructure

The entire system consisting of power plants, transmission lines, and distribution systems that generate, transport, and distribute electricity to customers.

Power grid

The interconnected network of transmission and distribution lines that carry electricity from generators to end users. It consists of multiple paths and is divided into separate interconnection zones.

North American Power Grid

The power grid in North America, which is divided into three separate interconnected grids:the Eastern Interconnect, the Western Interconnect, and Texas.

Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs)

Organizations responsible for operating the transmission systems within their individual regions and balancing supply and demand over transmission lines owned by other entities.

Balancing the Grid

The constant management of the power grid to balance power supply with customer demand. This involves adjusting turbine generators to meet increased or decreased loads and maintaining the frequency of the power generated.

Grid frequency

The frequency at which the electric power grid operates, typically maintained between about 60.02 Hz and 59.98 Hz.

Mechanical inertia

The resistance of rotating machinery to changes in speed, which helps stabilize grid frequency.

Governors

Devices that control the speed of rotating machinery, such as turbines, to maintain grid frequency.

Frequency regulation units

Power plants that can quickly adjust their output to help balance the grid frequency within seconds.

Automatic generation control (AGC) units

Power plants equipped with AGC systems that can reduce or increase their output in response to changes in grid frequency.

Independent System Operators (ISOs) and Regional Transmission Organizations (RTOs)

Organizations responsible for balancing supply and demand in the power grid using auctions and load forecasts.

Spinning reserves

Power plants that are synchronized with the grid but not generating power, ready to be brought online within minutes to balance the grid.

Operating reserves

Power plants that are warmed up but not synchronized, requiring less time to bring online compared to spinning reserves.

Capacity reserves

Power plants that require cold starts and take hours to bring online, providing additional backup capacity for the grid.

Blackout

A complete loss of electrical power in a large area, often caused by significant imbalances or failures in the power grid.

Load duration curves

Graphs that show the variation in power demand over time, helping utilities plan and manage their power generation resources.

Baseload plants

Power plants that operate continuously at a constant output, typically providing a stable and consistent power supply.

Load-following plants

Power plants that can ramp up or down their output to match the changing power demand throughout the day.

Peakers

Power plants that are occasionally needed to meet peak demands, typically more expensive to operate but cheaper to build compared to baseload plants.

Load curve

A graphical representation of the variation in power demand over a specific time period.

Load duration curve

A graphical representation of the load curve, arranged in descending order of magnitude, showing the duration of each load level.

Baseload plants

Power plants that provide a constant and continuous supply of electricity at a high capacity factor.

Load-following plants

Power plants that adjust their output to match the fluctuating power demand throughout the day.

Peaker power plants

Power plants that are only needed during peak demand periods and have a low capacity factor.

Power plant capacity factor

A measure of the fraction of time that a power plant operates at full power.

Centralized electric power systems

Large-scale power generation systems that deliver electricity from centralized power plants to consumers.

Conventional coal-fired steam power plants

Power plants that burn pulverized coal to produce high-temperature, high-pressure steam, which drives a turbine to generate electricity.

Turbine

A device that converts the energy of a moving fluid (such as steam) into mechanical energy, which is then used to generate electricity.

Condenser

A device that cools and condenses the steam after it has passed through the turbine, allowing it to be reused in the power plant cycle.

Carnot efficiency

The maximum possible efficiency of a heat engine, which depends on the temperature difference between the hot and cold reservoirs.

Cooling water

Water used in power plants to cool the steam and condense it back into liquid form.

Cooling towers

Structures used to cool the water in power plants by allowing a portion of it to evaporate, transferring heat to the atmosphere.

Centralized Electric Power Systems

Power generation systems that are located in a central location and distribute electricity to end users.

Decentralized Systems

Power generation systems that are located at or near the site of the end user.

Combined-heat-and-power (CHP) systems

Systems that generate electricity and capture waste heat for use in heating or other applications.

Flue Gas Emission Controls

Devices and technologies used to remove toxic pollutants from the flue gases emitted by power plants.

Electrostatic Precipitator (ESP)

A device that adds a charge to particulates in flue gas so they can be attracted to electrodes and collected as fly ash.

Flue Gas Desulfurization (FGD) System

A system that sprays a limestone slurry over flue gases to precipitate sulfur and remove it from the gas stream.

Selective Catalytic Reduction (SCR) Technology

A technology that uses anhydrous ammonia to react with nitrogen oxide in flue gases and convert it to nitrogen and water.

Capital Cost

The initial cost of building a power plant, including equipment and infrastructure.

Combustion Turbines

Power plants that use natural gas as a fuel, which burns cleaner and is less carbon intensive compared to coal-fired power plants.

Carbon Intensive

Referring to processes or activities that release a large amount of carbon dioxide into the atmosphere.

Fly Ash

Fine particles of ash that are produced during the combustion of coal in power plants.

Calcination

A chemical process in which calcium carbonate (CaCO3) is heated to produce calcium oxide (CaO) and carbon dioxide (CO2).

Carbon Emissions

The release of carbon dioxide (CO2) into the atmosphere.

Cement Production

The process of producing cement, which involves heating limestone and clay or sand to high temperatures.

Environmental Advantages

Benefits or positive impacts on the environment.

Carbon Emissions Reduction

The act of reducing the amount of carbon dioxide released into the atmosphere.

Recycling

The process of reusing materials or products to reduce waste and conserve resources.

Centralized Electric Power Systems

Power systems that generate electricity in a centralized location and distribute it to consumers.

Combustion turbine (CT)

A type of turbine used in gas power plants that consists of a compressor, a combustion chamber, and a power turbine.

Compressor

A component of a combustion turbine that draws in air, compresses it, and accelerates it.

Combustion chamber

The part of a combustion turbine where fuel is injected and ignited, creating a high-pressure, high-temperature gas stream.

Power turbine

The turbine in a combustion turbine that is spun by the expanding hot gases, generating rotational energy.

Generator

A device connected to the turbine that converts the rotational energy into electrical power.

Gas turbine

A type of turbine that uses gas as a fuel source to generate power.

Heat recovery steam generator (HRSG)

A heat exchanger that captures waste heat from a gas turbine and uses it to produce steam.