Electricity Generation and High Voltage Transport Systems

Electricity Generation and Transport Systems

The electromagnetic effect makes it possible to transform movement into electricity. In thermonuclear power stations and fossil fuel plants, radioactive cores or fuels are burned. The energy released from atoms is used in the production of water vapor. This drives a turbine connected to a generator which produces electricity.

Hydropower and Conventional Energy Sources

Electricity is also generated by hydropower from hydraulic energy. Water falls from dams, hitting the pallets of a water turbine connected to a generator that produces electricity. Thermal power plants, thermo-nuclear, and hydro-sources are considered conventional energy sources. They permit obtaining large amounts of electricity at relatively low prices, though they pose environmental problems. Alternative energy sources produce less electricity but are generally less harmful.

The Transport of Electricity

The places where power stations are located are often far from points of final consumption for security reasons, space needs, and physical terrain requirements. Because electrical energy (EE) cannot be stored, it must be transported from the central station to where it is consumed in urban cores. The transport of electricity implies three main processes:

• Elevation of Voltage: Because electricity must travel long distances, the voltage output is raised by central processors to very high values, typically 220,000 or 400,000 volts, to prevent significant energy losses.
• Design and Construction of Routes: This involves high voltage cables held by poles and catenaries.
• Voltage Reduction: The voltage is reduced to 3-30 kV for the distribution phase through poles or underground conduits until it reaches final values of 230 and 400 volts.

Conventional Electrical Power Plants

The production of electrical energy is performed by an alternator.

The Role of the Alternator

An alternator consists of two main parts: a fixed part called the stator and a mobile part called the rotor. The rotor consists of an even number of coils fed by current, which functions as electromagnets producing a rotating magnetic field. To move the rotor shaft, the action of a turbine coupled to it is required. Consequently, alternating electric current is produced in each of the stator coils. This turbine-alternator system is present in all conventional and unconventional power plants, with the exception of photovoltaic central stations.

Non-Nuclear Thermal and Combined Cycle Plants

Non-Nuclear Thermal Plants

These plants use natural gas, fuel oil, or coal. Liquid water enters the boiler and is converted into water vapor at temperatures reaching 600 ºC. This high-pressure water vapor passes through the turbine to expand it and make it spin. This process ensures that mechanical energy is converted into electric power via the generator coupled to the turbine.

Combined Cycle Power Plants

In combined cycle plants, energy is obtained by means of two combined cycles: the cycle used for conventional thermal plants and another cycle that utilizes air and gas.