ELECTRIC POWER PLANT

Index

1.Conventional electric power plantNuclear power plant

Fossil fuel thermal power plant-Combined cycle power plant

Hydroelectric power plant-Gravity-driven hydraulic power plant-Pump-driven hydraulic power plant

Index

2.Non-conventional electric power plantsWind power plants and wind farms

Solar power plants-Photo-thermal power plants-Photovoltaic power plants

Geothermal power plants

Biomass thermal power plants

Ocean power plants

1. Conventional power plants

Nuclear energy:Atomic energy offers a clean energy alternative that frees us from the shackles of fossil fuel dependence, but we have risk of succeed a disaster like in Chernobyl or Japan.

1. Conventional power plants

How does it works?The break down of the atoms of energy minerals produce a nuclear fission which releases a lot of heat. Then, the heat transforms the water into high-pressure steam which moves a turbine which is connected to a generator that produces electricity with the rotational movement.

1.Conventional power plants

Thermal power plants, Functioning:Fossil fuels are burned to produce heat that is used to transform water into high-pressure steam in a boiler. This water moves a turbine which is connected to a generator which produces electricity.

Thermal power plant.

Combined cycle power plant: 1. During the first cycle, we use a gas turbine with includes a compressor. Air and gas is mixed and burned, which generates electricity in the turbine-alternator system.2. The combustion gases are transported to a boiler, where they transfer their energy to the water during the second cycle.

1. Conventional power plants

Hydroelectric power plants: This type of power plant uses the potential energy provided by the height of the stored water in the dam, converting it into kinetic energy. This energy moves the blades of the turbine.-There are two types: Gravity and pump.

Gravity-driven hydraulic power plants

Water uses follows the course of a river and will not be reused

Pump-driven hydraulic power plants

Water descends into a reservoir located at a lower height, then pumped to a higher reservoir to reuse it.

2. Non-conventional power plant

Wind power plants and wind farms: It's a form of energy that doesn't pollute but it is very expensive and right now it can't compete with the other conventional energies.

2. Non-conventional power plants

Photo-thermal power plant:The heat generated by solar radiation produces steam that is used to move the rotor in the generator. To attract the sunlight they use heliostats that concentrate it at one point where are reaches high temperatures.

2. Non-conventional power plant

Photovoltaic power plant:These power plants consist of large areas of photovoltaic panels. Solar radiation is transformed directly electricity by panels of photovoltaic cells. Isolated power plants are used to supply electricity to homes in rural areas.

2. Non-conventional power plant

Geothermal power plant:These plants uses 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 is used to produce electricity and for water heating.

2. Non conventional power plant

Biomass thermal power plants:Urban and agricultural wastes are burned. These are the main sources for biomass:-Forestry and agricultural waste.-Specific crops, such as sunflowers and sugar beet.-Waste from agri-food industry.The heat and gases produced by decomposing waste are then used to moves turbines which generate electricity.

Biomass thermal power plants

2. Non conventional power plant

Ocean power plants:These power plants use the energy from the seas and the oceans. The concept is to use the three types of energy from the sea:-The mechanical energy from the tides.-The mechanical energy from the waves.-The energy from the ocean's thermal gradient.These power plants are still in the experimental phase and their level of production is still very low.

Ocean power plants

Making water from thin air

Eole water is a wind turbine that transform humid air into drinking water created by a French engineering firm. It is a great discover because it can provide water to desertic areas or areas where acces to water is difficult, but it very expensive, so it cannot be produced in high quantities. One turbine can produce up to 1,000 liters of water every day, depending on the level of humidity, temperature and wind speeds and it costs between 500,000 ($660,000) and 600,000 ($790,000) depending on the location and surroundingconditions to install just one Eole Water turbine

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