Energy plays a very important role in our day to day life for the development of the country. There are different forms of energy, out of that the electrical energy pays an important role.
In the current scenario, the dependence of
electrical energy is such that without it life gets somewhat cumbersome. Electrical
energy is used in different fields like domestic purposes, where it is used for
heating, cooking, refrigeration, light, etc. Also, it is used in industries,
commercial complex, irrigation purposes etc.
Thus, to satisfy everyone's needs, supply utilities,
provide electrical energy to them via an interconnected network which is known
as a power system network. The below figure indicates the general arrangement
of a power system.
It mainly consists of Power stations (also
known as power plants or generating stations), substations, transmission
networks and distribution networks.
According to the law of conservation,
energy can neither be created nor be destroyed. It can be transferred from one
form of energy to another form of energy.
Therefore, power stations convert some other
form of energy into electrical energy. It mainly consists of two parts; turbine
and alternator.
The turbine is used to convert some form of
energy into mechanical energy. The turbine is connected with the same shaft
with an alternator and then alternator converts mechanical energy into
electrical energy.
The generated electricity is in the form of
a three-phase supply. To decrease the transmission losses the generated power convert
in high voltage via a step-up transformer.
Then this high voltage energy is
transmitted by transmission lines over a long distance. Then again, it is
stepped down in distribution substation to utilization level.
Then the electrical energy is distributed
to different consumers. Generated electrical energy has to be transmitted over
a long distance owing to the following reasons. The load on the power system is
not concentrated but it is widely spread.
To generate electrical energy, there are
several types of power plants. According to the available resources, the power
plants are classified into many types like;
- Thermal power plant
- Hydro power plant
- Wind power plant
- Nuclear power plant
- Solar plant
- Gas turbine power plant and many more.
Due to some particular site selection
criteria, generating stations are created away from the load centers. As the
case in hydro power station, it should be located in hilly areas. Because it
requires a huge amount of water and the construction of a dam.
The pollution level is very high which is
dangerous to human beings in the case of a thermal power station and nuclear
power station. Therefore, it is constructed away from the populated area.
Owing to these reasons, the generated
electrical energy has to be transmitted to the consumers via some conducting
materials.
According to the placing of the conductor, the transmission system can be divided into two types;
- Overhead Transmission System
- Underground Transmission System
If these conductors are located overhead
with suitable spacing between them and adequate clearance from the ground, then
it is called an overhead transmission system.
If these conductors are placed underground by properly insulated from each other then the system is known as an underground transmission system. Below figure shows typical layout of power system network.
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