Electric Power System Basics for the Nonelectrical Professional

Steven W. Blume

• Publisher: Wiley-IEEE Press
• Year: 2016
• ISBN:
  9781119180210
• Edition: 2
• Topic: Technology & Engineering
• Subtopic: Power Resources
• Index: Technology & Engineering

The second edition of Steven W. Blume's bestseller provides a comprehensive treatment of power technology for the non-electrical engineer working in the electric power industry

This book aims to give non-electrical professionals a fundamental understanding of large interconnected electrical power systems, better known as the "Power Grid", with regard to terminology, electrical concepts, design considerations, construction practices, industry standards, control room operations for both normal and emergency conditions, maintenance, consumption, telecommunications and safety. The text begins with an overview of the terminology and basic electrical concepts commonly used in the industry then it examines the generation, transmission and distribution of power. Other topics discussed include energy management, conservation of electrical energy, consumption characteristics and regulatory aspects to help readers understand modern electric power systems. This second edition features:

• New sections on renewable energy, regulatory changes, new measures to improve system reliability, and smart technologies used in the power grid system
• Updated practical examples, photographs, drawing, and illustrations to help the reader gain a better understanding of the material
• "Optional supplementary reading" sections within most chapters to elaborate on certain concepts by providing additional detail or background

Electric Power System Basics for the Nonelectrical Professional, Second Edition, gives business professionals in the industry and entry-level engineers a strong introduction to power technology in non-technical terms.

Steve W. Blume is Founder of Applied Professional Training, Inc., APT Global, LLC, APT College, LLC and APT Corporate Training Services, LLC, USA. Steve is a registered professional engineer and certified NERC Reliability Coordinator with a Master's degree in Electrical Engineering specializing in power and a Bachelor's degree specializing in Telecommunications. He has more than 25 years' experience teaching electric power system basics to non-electrical professionals. Steve's engineering and operations experience includes generation, transmission, distribution, and electrical safety. He is an active senior member in IEEE and has published two books in power systems through IEEE and Wiley.

CHAPTER 1
SYSTEM OVERVIEW, TERMINOLOGY, AND BASIC CONCEPTS

CHAPTER OBJECTIVES

After completing this chapter, the reader will be able to:

• 
  Discuss the history of electricity
• 
  Explain the differences between voltage, current, power, and energy
• 
  Describe how electricity is generated using nature's physical laws
• 
  Describe the three types of load (electrical consumption) and their characteristics
• 
  Discuss the three main components of a generator

HISTORY OF ELECTRIC POWER

Benjamin Franklin is known for his discovery of electricity. Born in 1706, he began studying electricity in the early 1750s. His observations, including his kite experiment, verified the nature of electricity. He knew that lightning was very powerful and dangerous. The famous 1752 kite experiment had a pointed metal piece on the top and a metal key at the base end of the kite string. The string went through the key and attached to a Leyden jar. (A Leyden jar consists of two metal conductors separated by an insulator.) He held the string with a short section of dry silk as insulation from the lightning energy. He then flew the kite into a thunderstorm. He first noticed some loose strands of the hemp string stood erect, avoiding one another. (Hemp is a perennial American plant used in rope making by native Americans.) He proceeded to touch the key with his knuckle and received a small electrical shock.

Between 1750 and 1850, there were many great discoveries in the principles of electricity and magnetism by Volta, Coulomb, Gauss, Henry, Faraday, Tesla, and others. It was found that electrical current produces a magnetic field. And, it was found that a moving magnetic field near a wire produces electricity. This led to many inventions such as the battery (1800), generator (1831), motor (1831), telegraph (1837) and telephone (1876), plus many other intriguing inventions.

In 1879, Thomas Edison invented a more efficient light bulb similar to those in use today. In 1882, he placed into operation the historic Pearl Street steam-electric plant and the first direct current (dc) distribution system in New York City powering over 10,000 electric light bulbs. By the late 1880s, power demand for electric motors brought in 24-hour service and dramatically raised electricity demand for transportation and other industry needs. By the end of the 1880s, small centralized areas of electrical power distribution centers sprinkled the U.S. cities. Each distribution center was limited to a few blocks because of the transmission inefficiencies of using direct current. Voltage could not be increased or decreased using direct current systems and the need to transport power longer distances was in order.

To solve the problem of transporting electrical power long distances, George Westinghouse developed a device called the “transformer.” The transformer allowed electrical energy to be transported long distances efficiently by raising the voltage to reduce losses. This made it possible to supply electric power to homes and businesses located far from the electric generating plants. The application of transformers required the distribution system to be of the alternating current (ac) type opposed to direct current (dc) type.

The development of the Niagara Falls hydroelectric power plant in 1896 initiated the practice of placing electric power generating plants far from consumption areas. The Niagara plant produced electricity to Buffalo, NY over 20 miles away. With Niagara, Westinghouse, using technology developed by Nicolas Tesla, who convincingly demonstrated the superiority of transporting power long distances with electricity using alternating current (ac) instead of direct current (dc). Niagara was the first large power system to supply multiple large consumers with only one power line across a long distance.

Since the early 1900s, alternating current power systems began appearing throughout the United States. These power systems became interconnected to form what we know today as four major power grids in the United States and Canada.

It is interesting to note, however that direct current systems are coming back. For example, rooftop solar, dc transmission lines, and other dc generation and load devices are growing at a significant rate.

The remainder of this chapter discusses the fundamental terms and concepts used in today's electric power systems based on this impressive history.

SYSTEM OVERVIEW

Electric power systems are real-time energy delivery systems. Real-time meaning power is generated, transported, and supplied the moment you turn on the light switch. Electric power systems are not storage systems like water systems and gas systems. Instead, generators produce the energy as the demand calls for it!

Figure 1.1 shows the basic building blocks of an electric power system. Starting with generation, where electrical energy is produced in the power plant and then transformed in the power station to high-voltage electrical energy that is more suitable for efficient long-distance transportation. The power plants transform other sources of energy...