Electronic Controls

Electric power generation

Converting various forms of energy into electrical energy for transmission and use.

First electric generator inventor

Michael Faraday in 1831.

Foundation principle of modern power generation

Electromagnetic induction.

War of the Currents

The rivalry between Edison (DC) and Westinghouse (AC).

Reason AC became standard

Because it allows efficient long-distance transmission with transformers.

Electromagnetic induction

Generation of voltage in a conductor by a changing magnetic field.

Generator action

Converting mechanical energy into electrical energy by electromagnetic induction.

Factors affecting induced voltage

Speed, magnetic field strength, and number of coil turns.

Preference for AC generation

Easier voltage transformation and efficient long-distance transmission.

Three-phase generator

Produces three AC voltages 120° apart.

Main parts of a generator

Rotor, stator, and excitation system.

Rotor's function

Creates a rotating magnetic field.

Stator function

Contains windings where voltage is induced.

Excitation system function

Provides DC to the rotor for magnetic field creation.

Brushless excitation systems

They need less maintenance and are more reliable.

Three-phase power

Uses three AC currents 120° apart for steady power delivery.

Two configurations of three-phase power

Delta (∆) and Wye (Y).

Reason voltage is stepped up

To minimize losses in transmission.

Typical generation voltage

11,000-30,000 V.

Typical transmission voltage

110,000-750,000 V.

Distribution substation voltage

4,000-35,000 V.

Residential voltage

120/240 V.

Industrial voltage

480-13,800 V.

How fossil fuel plants work

Burn fuel to create steam that drives turbines.

Main fossil fuels

Coal, oil, and natural gas.

Drawback of fossil fuels

Emit greenhouse gases and pollutants.

Nuclear fission

Splitting heavy atoms to release energy.

Main fuels for nuclear

Uranium-235 and plutonium-239.

Advantages of nuclear

Low emissions and high energy output.

Challenges of nuclear

Waste disposal, cost, and safety risks.

Major nuclear accidents

Chernobyl (1986), Fukushima (2011).

Renewable energy systems

Use natural, replenishable sources like solar and wind.

Importance of renewables

They reduce carbon emissions and are sustainable.

Largest renewable source

Hydroelectric power.

Global share of hydro

15.3%.

Global share of wind

6.6%.

Global share of solar

3.7%.

Fastest-growing renewable

Solar energy.

Solar energy

Energy from the sun's radiation.

Two types of solar energy

Photovoltaic and Solar Thermal.

Photovoltaic effect

Light hitting semiconductors releases electrons generating voltage.

Main PV materials

Silicon, gallium arsenide.

Steps in PV effect

Photon absorption, charge separation, current flow.

Solar module

Encapsulated solar cells forming a panel.

Array

Multiple solar panels connected together.

Inverter

Converts DC to AC power.

Charge controller

Prevents overcharging of batteries.

Net metering

Sending excess solar power to the grid for credit.

Optimal panel tilt

Equal to latitude.

Panel lifespan

25-30 years.

Panel efficiency

15-22%.

Monocrystalline cell advantage

High efficiency and long lifespan.

Polycrystalline advantage

Lower cost.

Thin-film advantage

Flexible and better in high temperatures.

Thin-film disadvantage

Lower efficiency.

Wind energy conversion

Kinetic energy of air to electrical energy.

Cause of wind

Uneven heating of the Earth's surface.

Formula for wind power

P = 1/2 ρ A v³.

Turbine types

Horizontal-axis and Vertical-axis.

Most common turbine type

Horizontal-axis (HAWT).

Blade material

Fiberglass or carbon fiber.

Nacelle

Houses generator, gearbox, and controls.

Yaw system function

Turns turbine to face wind.

Pitch control function

Adjusts blade angle to control output.

Cut-in wind speed

3-4 m/s.

Rated wind speed

Speed where turbine produces max power.

Cut-out wind speed

About 25 m/s.

Wind farms

Groups of turbines producing large-scale power.

Wind farm concerns

Noise, wildlife impact, visual aesthetics.

Offshore wind farms

Turbines located in sea for stronger winds.

Grid integration

Connecting renewables to power grid synchronously.

Grid-tie inverter function

Matches voltage, phase, and frequency to the grid.

Off-grid system

Operates independently from utility grid.

Grid-interactive system

Can work with or without the grid.

Battery role

Stores energy for later use.

SCADA

Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition for monitoring power systems.

Load balancing

Matching generation to demand for stability.

Smart grids

Digital grids optimizing power flow and reliability.

Microgrids

Localized grids that can disconnect from the main grid.

Demand response

Adjusting load usage based on grid supply.

Power factor

Ratio of real to apparent power; efficiency indicator.

Importance of maintaining power factor

Prevents losses and inefficiency.

Power factor correction

Use capacitors or synchronous condensers.

Importance of grounding

Prevents shock and equipment damage.

Circuit breakers purpose

Disconnect circuits during faults.

System reliability

Ability to continuously supply electricity.

Preventive maintenance

Regular inspections to avoid failures.

Common monitoring tools

Sensors, SCADA, and thermal imaging.