Module 1

1. Write down the classification of sources of energy.

Primary energy resources are broadly classified into:

Non-Renewable Energy Resources (Conventional)

These are limited in quantity and take millions of years to form.

Types:
(a) Fossil Fuels
1. Coal
2. Petroleum (Oil)
3. Natural Gas
(b) Nuclear Fuels
• Uranium (U-235)
• Thorium (Th-232)
• Used in nuclear power plants to produce heat through nuclear fission.

Renewable Energy Resources (Non-Conventional)

These are naturally replenished and inexhaustible.
Types:
(a) Solar Energy
(b) Wind Energy
(c) Hydropower
(d) Biomass Energy
(e) Geothermal Energy
(f) Tidal Energy

2. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable source of energy.

Renewable Sources of Energy Non-Renewable Sources of Energy

These sources are naturally replenished in a short These sources are limited and cannot be replenished
time. quickly.

They are available continuously in nature. They get exhausted after continuous use.

Cause less environmental pollution. Cause more environmental pollution.

Generally eco-friendly and sustainable. Generally, not eco-friendly.

Initial cost is high but operating cost is low. Fuel cost and operating cost are comparatively high.

Examples: Solar energy, wind energy, hydro energy, Examples: Coal, petroleum, natural gas, nuclear fuel.
biomass.

3. Write the Percentage-wise Coal Reserves of Major Countries

The distribution of world coal reserves is concentrated in a few countries. The approximate percentage share of
proven coal reserves is as follows:
• USA → 23–24%
• Russia → 15–16%
• Australia → 13–14%
• China → 13%
• India → 9–10%
 • Germany → 3–4%
• Indonesia → 3%
• Ukraine → 3%
• Poland → 2–3%
• Kazakhstan → 2–3%

4. What is a Power Plant?

A power plant (power generating station) is an industrial facility used for the generation of electrical energy
from various energy sources such as:

• Coal
• Water
• Nuclear fuel
• Diesel
• Natural gas
• Solar energy
• Wind energy
Definition

A power plant is a place where energy from natural resources is converted into electrical energy in a controlled and
efficient manner.

Energy Conversion Chain

For a thermal power plant:

Chemical Energy (Fuel)

↓
Heat Energy (Boiler)
↓
Mechanical Energy (Turbine)
↓
Electrical Energy (Generator)
5. State some objectives of power plant.
• To generate electrical energy efficiently
• To supply power economically
• To meet load demand continuously
• To ensure reliability and safety

6. State the essential requirements of a Modern Power Plant?

A good power plant should have:
1. High efficiency
2. Low running cost
3. Minimum transmission losses
4. Reliability
5. Minimum pollution
6. Easy maintenance
7. Less space requirement

7. What are the Importances of Power Plant?

• Power plants generate electricity in large quantities to meet industrial, domestic and commercial demand.
• They support industrial development by supplying continuous power to factories and manufacturing units.
• Electricity from power plants is essential for lighting, heating, cooling and operating household appliances.
• Power plants help in agricultural development by supplying power for irrigation pumps and agro-processing
units.
• They support transportation and communication systems such as electric trains, metros and
telecommunication networks.
• Availability of electricity improves the standard of living through better healthcare, education and digital
services.

8. Describe the present scenario of power in India with suitable data.

• India has one of the largest power systems in the world and is currently the third largest producer and
consumer of electricity. The Indian power sector has shown rapid growth in generation capacity,
transmission network and renewable energy development.
• The total installed power generation capacity of India is approximately 510 GW (2025).
• Thermal power plants, mainly coal-based, are the major source of electricity generation and contribute
nearly 70% of total power generation.
• Renewable energy sources such as solar and wind power are growing rapidly, and India has achieved more
than 50% installed capacity from non-fossil fuel sources.
• Hydroelectric power contributes about 46–47 GW, while nuclear power contributes about 7–8 GW to the
total installed capacity.
• Electricity demand in India is increasing continuously due to industrialization, urbanization, rural
electrification and increasing use of electric vehicles.
• India has developed a strong national grid system under the concept of “One Nation – One Grid – One
Frequency.”
• Nearly all villages in India have been electrified, improving agriculture, industries and rural development.
• Major challenges faced by the Indian power sector include dependence on coal, transmission losses,
environmental pollution and financial losses of DISCOMs.
9. Show the Percentage wise Energy consumption at world level with a Pie Chart.

Renewables

Hydro 6%

Wind 3%

Solar PV 2%

Biomass 1%

Solar Heat 1%

Biofuel 0.5%

Geothermal 0.5%

10. Which country has the largest share of global energy reserves?
United states of America (USA)

11. Broadly classify the types of power plant and describe all.
Power plants are classified according to the source of energy used for electricity generation.

1. Conventional Power Plants

These are traditional power plants using non-renewable energy sources.

(a) Steam (Thermal) power plant

• Energy conversion:
Converts heat energy into electrical energy.
Coal → Heat → Steam → Turbine →
Generator → Electricity
Features:
• Uses coal, oil, or natural gas
• Major source of power in India
• Suitable for base load
Advantages:
• Less initial cost than hydro
• Requires less land than hydro plant
Limitations:
• High running cost
• Pollution problems
(b) Hydroelectric power plant
Energy conversion:
Uses potential energy of water
Potential energy of water → Turbine → Generator
Features:
• No fuel required
• Suitable for peak load
• Clean and renewable
Advantages:
• Low operating cost
• Long life
• High efficiency
Limitations:
• Very high initial cost
• Depends on rainfall
• Large land requirement

(c) Nuclear power plant

Energy conversion:
Nuclear fission → Heat → Steam → Turbine
→ Generator
Features:
• Uses uranium or thorium
• Very high energy density
Advantages:
• Requires very small amount of fuel
• Produces large amount of electrical
energy
• Low fuel transportation cost
• Suitable for base load operation
• No smoke or CO₂ emission during
operation
Limitations:
• High capital cost
• Radioactive waste disposal problem

(d) Diesel power plant

Features:
• Uses diesel engine as prime mover
• Small capacity plant
Applications:
• Standby supply
• Peak load
• Emergency power
Advantages:
• Low initial cost
• Quick starting and stopping
• Requires less space
• Simple installation and operation
• Suitable for standby and peak load
operation
Limitations:
• High fuel cost
• High maintenance
 (e) Gas turbine power plant
Features:
• Works on Brayton cycle
• Uses natural gas or light oil
Advantages:
• Quick starting
• Less space required
Limitations:
• Lower efficiency compared to steam plant
• Limited generating capacity
• Not suitable for continuous large-scale power
generation

2. Non-Conventional (Renewable) Power Plants

These plants use renewable and naturally available energy sources.
• Solar power plant – uses solar radiation
• Wind power plant – uses wind energy
• Biomass power plant – uses organic waste and biomass fuel
• Geothermal power plant – uses heat from the earth
• Tidal power plant – uses tidal energy of sea water
• OTEC – uses temperature difference in ocean water
• Fuel cell – converts chemical energy directly into electricity

12. Name the types of non-conventional power plants and mention two limitations of each.
a. Solar Power Plant:
Limitations
• Power generation depends on sunlight and weather
• High initial installation cost

b. Wind Power Plant:

Limitations
• Depends on wind speed
• Requires large land area

c. Biomass Power Plant

Limitations
• Continuous biomass supply is difficult
• Produces smoke and ash during combustion

d. Geothermal Power Plant

Limitations
• Suitable only in geothermal regions
• High drilling and installation cost

e. Tidal Power Plant

Limitations
• High construction cost
• Limited suitable coastal locations
 f. Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
Limitations:
• Low efficiency
• Very high installation cost

g. Fuel Cell
Limitations
• High cost of fuel cell materials
• Hydrogen storage and handling is difficult.

13. Compare between Thermal Power Plant, Hydroelectric Power Plant, Nuclear Power Plant, Gas Turbine Power
Plant
Comparison Table
Thermal Power Hydroelectric Power Gas Turbine Power
Parameter Nuclear Power Plant
Plant Plant Plant
Fuel Coal, oil, gas Water Uranium/Thorium Natural gas, diesel
Initial cost Medium Very high Very high Low
Running cost High Very low Low High
Efficiency 30–40% 80–90% 30–35% 35–40%
Maintenance High Low Very high (skilled) Low
Starting time Long Short Very long Very short
Life of plant 25–30 years 50–100 years 30–40 years 20–25 years
Space
Less Very large Less Very less
required
Fuel transport Required Not required Very small quantity Required
No CO₂ (but radioactive
Pollution High No pollution Low
waste)
Standby losses High Negligible High Low
Load handling Base load Peak load & base load Base load Peak load
Location Near fuel & water Hilly area with water Away from population Near load centre

14. Name some Nuclear Power Plants in India.

• Kudankulam Nuclear Power Plant
• Rajasthan Atomic Power Station
• Narora Atomic Power Station
• Kaiga Generating Station
• Madras Atomic Power Station
• Kakrapar Atomic Power Station
• Tarapur Atomic Power Station

15. Describe the factors on which the selection of the location of a power plant depends.

Factors Affecting the Location of a Power Plant:

a. Availability of Fuel
• Thermal plants are located near coal mines or fuel sources
• Reduces fuel transportation cost
 b. Availability of Water
Water is required for:
• Steam generation
• Cooling
• Ash handling
Hence plants are located near rivers, lakes or sea.
c. Land Requirement
• Sufficient and low-cost land is required
• Space should be available for future expansion
d. Transportation Facilities
Good railway, road and port facilities are necessary for transport of fuel and equipment.
e. Distance from Load Centre
• Nearer load centre reduces transmission losses and cost
• Farther distance increases transmission cost
f. Environmental Considerations
• Pollution and environmental impact should be minimized
• Proper ash disposal facility should be available
g. Availability of Labour
• Availability of skilled and unskilled workers is necessary for operation and maintenance.

16. Describe the factors on which the selection of a power plant depends. / What are the factors for choosing a
power Plant
The selection of a suitable power plant depends on technical, economic, environmental and operational factors
to ensure reliable and economical generation of electricity.

a. Availability of Resources:
The type of power plant depends on the availability of fuel or energy resources. Thermal plants require coal
or oil, hydro plants require water resources, and solar or wind plants require suitable climatic conditions.

b. Cost of Construction and Operation:

The initial investment and operating cost greatly affect plant selection. Hydroelectric and nuclear plants
have high capital cost, while diesel plants have high running cost.
c. Environmental Impact:
Power plants should have minimum environmental impact. Air pollution, water pollution, thermal pollution
and radioactive waste disposal must be considered.

d. Demand for Electricity:

The nature of electrical load influences plant selection. Thermal and nuclear plants are suitable for base
load, while hydro and gas turbine plants are suitable for peak load demand.

e. Reliability and Efficiency:

The plant should operate continuously with good efficiency and minimum breakdowns to ensure reliable
power supply and low generation cost.

f. Government Policies:
Government regulations regarding renewable energy, pollution control and fuel policies also affect power
plant selection.

g. Safety and Plant Life:

Safety of workers and equipment is important, and plants with longer operating life are generally preferred.
17. Define peak load and base load.
Peak load: The maximum demand for electricity in a power grid at any given time.
Base load: The minimum amount of electricity that must be generated at all times to meet the demand of the
power grid.)

18. What is the difference between Base load power plant and intermediate Load Power plants.
Base Load Power Plant Intermediate Load Power Plant

Supplies power continuously to meet the minimum Supplies power during medium or varying load
demand conditions

Operates only during intermediate demand

Operates for most of the time at constant load periods

Requires high efficiency and reliability Requires flexibility in operation

Generally, has low operating cost Operating cost is comparatively higher

Suitable for continuous large-scale generation Suitable for fluctuating load conditions

Examples: Thermal and nuclear power plants Examples: Gas turbine and diesel power plants

19. Write some functions of Power Plant.

• Generation of electrical energy.
• Continuous supply of power.
• Load sharing in grid system.
• Generation at economical voltage.
• Reliable and stable operation.
• Minimum operating cost with safety.

20. What is meant by ‘vacuum efficiency’ of a condensing Plant? on what factors this efficiency depends?
Vacuum efficiency of a condensing plant is the ratio of the actual vacuum obtained in the condenser to the ideal
or maximum possible vacuum.

Actual Vacuum
Vacuum Efficiency = × 100
Ideal Vacuum

Factors Affecting Vacuum Efficiency:

• Leakage of air into the condenser
• Efficiency of the air extraction pump
• Temperature of cooling water
• Quantity and circulation rate of cooling water
• Presence of non-condensable gases
• Effectiveness of steam condensation