Power Instrumentation & Electrical equipments in power plant

Power Plant Instrumentation & Economics: A Comprehensive Overview

This unit delves into the crucial instrumentation and economics of power plants, a key component of the Energy Engineering syllabus for final-year Mechanical Engineering students. Covering Unit 6, this course provides a focused understanding of the electrical and instrumentation aspects vital for efficient power generation.

Key Topics Covered:

• Power Plant Instruments: Explore the layout of electrical equipment within a power plant, focusing on essential components.
• Generator & Exciter Systems: Understand the operation and maintenance of generators and exciters, critical for electricity production.
• Generator Cooling: Learn about various methods of generator cooling to ensure optimal performance and longevity.
• Short Circuits & Limiting Methods: Gain knowledge of short circuit analysis and techniques for limiting their impact.
• Switchgear & Circuit Breakers: Study the function and importance of switchgear and circuit breakers in power system protection.
• Power Transformers: Understand the role of power transformers in voltage transformation within the power plant.
• Earthing Methods: Learn about different methods of earthing and their significance in ensuring electrical safety.
• Protective Devices & Control Systems: Explore the various protective devices and control systems used to safeguard power plant equipment and maintain stable operation.
• High Voltage Measurement: Develop skills in the measurement of high voltage, current, and power.
• Control Room Operations: Gain insights into the operation and importance of the control room and its associated control system.

Course Objectives:

• Study the electrical and instrumentation aspects of power station operations.
• Understand the fundamental concepts of generators, transformers, exciters, circuit breakers, and bus bars.
• Become familiar with various electrical equipment used in power plants.
• Develop a basic understanding of instrumentation principles.
• Gain knowledge of control rooms and control systems.
• Analyze the significance of load curves and duration curves.
• Understand the various costs associated with power plant operation.
• Learn about tariffs and methods of tariff calculation.
• Develop skills in solving numerical problems related to power economics.

Course Outcomes:

Upon completion of this course, learners will be able to:

• Understand the basic concepts of electrical equipment used in power plants.
• Become acquainted with various generator and transformer cooling methods.
• Understand the importance of electrical protective equipment.
• Gain knowledge of earthing techniques and their application.
• Know the layout and importance of the control room and control system.
• Understand the various costs incurred in a power plant and methods to calculate the cost of generation.
• Understand load curves and load duration curves and apply them to solve numerical problems.
• Develop a basic understanding of electrical and instrumentation systems employed in power plants.