Streamlining Planned Maintenance Outage
Planned outages are a vital part of pre-empting unforeseen equipment failure that can result in reduced output or even a full shutdown….
Read morePower plants are industrial facilities that generate electricity from primary energy sources, such as coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar, or wind energy. Most power plants use generators that convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. The exception is solar power plants that use photovoltaic cells (instead of a turbine) to generate electricity.
All power plants are created with one particular goal: to produce electric power as efficiently as possible. There are several types of power plants depending mainly on the sources of energy that are used. The introduction of more sustainable forms of energy has caused an increase in the improvement and creation of particular power plants.
Thermal power plants are split into two different categories; those that create electricity by burning fuel and those that generate electricity via prime mover:
Hydroelectric power plants use energy from falling water in rivers and reservoirs to spin a generator and create electricity. This energy source tends to be more reliable (dispatchable) than other renewable resources, especially when the facility runs off of a reservoir.
Solar power plants convert sunlight into electricity, either directly using photovoltaics (PV) or indirectly using concentrated solar power (CSP). Concentrated solar power systems use lenses, mirrors, and tracking systems to focus a large area of sunlight into a small beam.
Wind power plants / Wind turbines convert the kinetic energy from the wind into mechanical power. This mechanical power can be used for specific tasks (such as grinding grain or pumping water), or a generator can convert this mechanical power into electricity.
Electrical power starts at the power plant. In most cases, a power plant consists of an electric generator. Something has to spin that generator — it might be a water wheel in a hydroelectric dam, a large diesel engine, or a gas turbine. But in most cases, the object spinning the generator is a steam turbine. The steam might be created by burning coal, oil, or natural gas. Or the smoke may come from a nuclear reactor.
Electricity is a secondary energy source, which means that electricity is obtained from converting other primary sources of energy, such as coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar, or wind energy. The power plant is the location in which the energy conversions take place.
Electricity generation generates electricity from primary energy sources, such as coal, natural gas, nuclear, solar, or wind energy.
The power plant generator is a device that converts mechanical energy obtained from an external source into electrical energy as the output—understanding that a generator does not actually ‘create’ electrical power. It uses the mechanical energy supplied to it to force the movement of electric charges present in the wire of its windings through an external electric circuit.
The power generation industry can be split into three areas: power generation, transmission and distribution networks, and metering and sales. Large energy companies tend to operate in all three areas, which is more cost-effective, but smaller companies often only work in one of these areas.
In each plant, whether nuclear or fossil-fueled, the following essential power generation equipment is present:
Each electric power station’s technology has advantages and disadvantages. For example, nuclear power plants provide large quantities of reliable power with low levels of greenhouse gas emissions. Fossil fuel power plants deliver on-demand, consistent and reliable energy when the resources are available. Hydro, solar, and wind power plants generate renewable electricity, producing emissions-free electricity.
Planned outages are a vital part of pre-empting unforeseen equipment failure that can result in reduced output or even a full shutdown….
Read moreFusion energy offers the possibility of carbon-free, unlimited energy and the liberation of humanity from the constraints of our Earth’s limited resources….
Read moreFHT Valves supplied Emergency Shut-Down valves (ESDV) for a major nuclear thermal plant in Europe in order to generate electricity from thermal energy produced…
Read moreCurtiss-Wright’s Actuation Division today announced the release of its newest motor / actuators with integral controls, the Exlar® SA-R080 rotary and SA-L080…
Read moreEvery bioreactor system relies on the introduction of oxygen to feed cell cultures and the removal of carbon dioxide to prevent cell toxicity. …
Read moreA commitment to product development and supporting customers in critical applications leads the sealing solutions experts at James Walker to a new offering for…
Read moreAs the world works to develop strategies and technology for a changing and increasingly decarbonized energy landscape, Emerson recognizes the integral role flow…
Read morePower stations and steam distribution systems depend upon robust and reliable flow control equipment for safe operation. …
Read moreHayward Tyler, a global leader in performance-critical pumps and motors for the energy sector, is pleased to announce two separate agreements with Ruhrpumpen, a…
Read moreKLINGER KHI ball valves ensure no scaling and smooth operation…
Read moreGet the extensive coverage for fluid handling professionals who buy, maintain, manage or operate equipment, delivered to your inbox.
By signing up for our list, you agree to our Terms & Conditions. We deliver two E-Newsletters every week, the Weekly E-Update (delivered every Tuesday) with general updates from the industry, and one Market Focus / E-Product Newsletter (delivered every Thursday) that is focused on a particular market or technology.
Since 2010, we have been providing industrial professionals with the latest innovations, case studies, and the most comprehensive equipment guide in fluid handling technology, in a variety of markets.
© Fluid Handling Pro 2023