Electric Power Plants
Alberto Gimnez Bejarano and Mara Megas Teijn 3A [2011/2012]
Index
Types of conventional power plants: -Fossil fuels power
plant-Hydroelectric power plant.
Types of non-conventional power plants:-Solar Power Plant
-Geothermal Power Plant.-Wind Power Plant. -Biomass Power
Plant.-Photovoltaic Power Plant. -Ocean Power Plant.
Enviromental impact.
Waste treatment.
Do you think a wind turbine can produce fresh water?
Definition of Electric Power Plants
Electric power plants are facilities where primary or secondary
energy is transformed into electricity. Once electricity is
generated, it must be transported to towns, cities, or industrials
parks.
Conventional power plants: Nuclear
This type of plant includes a nuclear fission reactor that
produces the pressurised steam needed to move the turbine
rotor.
It can contaminate due to the radiation that it produces, it's
pollutants cannot be recicled, it is non-renewable although it has
great capacity and high performance, but radioactive waste is very
dangerous
Functioning of a nuclear power plant
Conventional power plants: Fossil Fuels
This type of power plant produces most of the electricity that
we use. At this type of power plants, water is heated in a boiler
by the heat generated from the combustion of a fossil fuel, usually
natural gas or coal. The steam that is generated moves the turbine
conected to the generator.
Functioning of a Fossil Fuel power plant
Conventional power plants: Hydroelectricity.
This type of power plant uses the potencial energy provided by
the height of the stored water in a dam, converting it into kinetic
energy. This energy moves the blades of the turbine. Depending on
the destination of the water, hydraulic power plants are divided
into two types: Gravity or Pump.
Gravity driven
Pump driven
Non-conventional power plants: Wind
These power plants use the kinetic energy of the wind to move
the blades of a rotor at the top of a tower; this is referred to as
the wind turbine.
Wind farms are a clean form of generating electricity. However,
they can only be installed in places with appropiated wind
conditions.
Non-conventional power plants: Solar
These plants use the energy from the sun. There are two main
types of installations: Photo-thermal and Photovoltaic power
plants.
Photovoltaic Power Plants
Photo-thermal Power Plants
Non-conventional power plants: Geothermal
These plants use the heat found at deep levels in the earth.
This heat may reach the surface in the form of steam, gases or hot
water.
Geothermal energy may be used directly-hot water and heating-and
indirectly-the heat generates steam, which produces
electricity.
Non-conventional power plants: Biomass
Biomass consists of all organic compounds that are produced
through natural processes.
It is subjected to different physical and chemical processes ir
order to produce fuels such as charcoal, alcohol or biogas. This
type of fuel is burnt at these power plants to produce
electricity.
Non-conventional power plants: Ocean
This power plants use the energy from the seas and the oceans.
The concept is to use three types of energy from the sea: tidal,
waves and ocean's thermal gradient.
This power plants are still in the experimental phase and their
level of production is still very slow.
Waves power plant
Tidal power plant
Enviromental Impacts
The next slide shows a table that reflects the enviromental
impacts of the types of power plants shown above
Types of power plants Enviromental ImpactType of energy
consumedAdvantagesDisadvantages and risks
Fossil fuelGas pollution, warm water releaseNon-renewableGreat
capacity, high performanceRespiratory diseases, negative impact on
ecosystems
HydroelectricChange in enviromentRenewableGreat capacity, high
performanceDisaster if a dam breaks
Wind powerVisual and sound impactRenewableClean, possible
domestic productionLow performance, accidents
SolarAffects ecosystemsRenewableClean, possible for own useLow
performance, high costs
BiomassBeneficialRenewableReduces dependenceExcessive
exploitation
Ocean PowerEnviormental ChangesRenewableReduces dependenceHigh
costs, low performance
Waste Treatment
To reduce the waste produced by electric power plants, as well
as their effects, several measures can be taken:
Energy savings-Essential to reduce consuption in all forma of
energy, without affecting our quality of life. Examples: using
public transport or bikes, changing our habits,...
Efficiency-Energy efficiency policies increase efficiency of
everyday appliances and devices. Examples: low fuel comsuption
cars, electric cars,...
Energy diversification-Use of renewable sources of energy is
fundamental, using them to produce more than conventional enrgies
do.
The next slide shows a table that reflects the enviromental
impacts of the types of power plants shown above
Do you think wind turbines can produce fresh water?
Yes, the French company Eole has discovered that their new
turbine can produce 64 liters of water per day and this is a very
good advence in this type of energy, because there are many places
where there are not enough water but too much wind.
THE END
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