Introduction to Energy Generation System (EEE228)

Q1. Discuss the advantages of a diesel engine-based power plant. (6)

Advantages of Diesel Engine-Based Power Plants:
• Diesel engine-based power plants can be started and stopped quickly, which is very helpful during
power cuts or emergencies.
• These plants are small in size, so they take up less space and are easy to install.
• They are also portable, meaning they can be moved to different locations when needed.
• The cost to set up a diesel power plant is lower compared to other types of power plants.
• They work efficiently even when they are not running at full power, making them suitable for
small power needs.
• Additionally, they require less water for cooling, which is ideal for dry or remote areas.
• Diesel power plants are simple to operate and maintain, and diesel fuel is easily available in most
places, including rural or remote locations.

Q2. What do you understand by a micro-hydro power plant? Explain. (6)

Micro-Hydro Power Plants:
• A micro hydro power plant is a type of hydroelectric power scheme that produces only up to 100
KW of electricity.
• The electricity from such systems is used to supply power to isolated homes or villages where
electricity grid is not available.
• Many micro hydropower systems operate “run of river,” which means that no large dams or
water storage reservoirs are built, and no land is flooded.
• Majority of these systems only use a fraction of the available stream flow to generate power, and
this has little environmental impact.
• The micro hydro scheme is designed as per household basis or at the village level usually with
local materials and labor.

Q3. What do you understand by solar collectors? Give Classification of solar collectors. (6)
Solar Collectors: A solar collector is a device that collects solar radiation from the sun and converts
it into heat. This heat can be used for generation of electricity.
Classification of Solar Collectors:
Q4. Determine the wind energy which can be tapped from the wind if the blades of the turbine
have a radius of 12 m and velocity of air swept by the turbine blades is 6 m/s. Assume the density
of air to be 1.225 kg/m3. (6)

Sol: Wind Energy = 0.5 x ρ x v3 x A Watts

Where ρ = density of the air in kg/m3 = 1.225 kg/m3

v = velocity of the wind in m/s = 6 m/s

A = area of wind swept by the turbine blades in m2

r = radius of turbine blade = 12 m

Now,
A = π x r2 = 3.141 x 122 = 452.304 m2

Therefore,

Wind Energy = 0.5 x 1.225 x 63 x 452.304

= 59.84 kW

Q5. What do you understand by spinning reserve in a power plant? Also list the factors which
should be considered while deciding the number of generating units in a power plant. (6)
Spinning Reserve:
• It refers to the extra generating capacity that is online but not fully loaded and is available
to meet demand in case of a sudden increase in load or the failure of another generator.
• These are generators that are already connected to the power grid and can quickly ramp up
their output, usually within a few seconds to a few minutes to maintain the stability and
reliability of the power supply.
The factors to be considered while deciding the number of generating units in a power plant are:
• Load Demand and Variability.
• Reliability and Continuity of Supply.
• Maintenance and Downtime Requirements.
• Efficiency and Economic Operation.
• Future Expansion Possibility.
• Spinning Reserve Requirement.

Q6. The performance data of a boiler is given below: (10)

Average flue gas temperature: 315 °C
Ambient temperature: 40 °C
Fuel supply quantity: 314 kg/hr
Flue gas quantity: 17.4 kg/kg of fuel
Specific heat of fuel: 0.23 kcal/kg°C
Calculate the quantity of heat available in the absence of an economizer.
Solution: Total flue gas quantity = Flue gas quantity (kg /kg of fuel) x Fuel supply quantity (kg/hr)
= 17.4 x 314 = 5463.6 kg/hr
Quantity of heat available without economiser = Total flue gas quantity x Specific heat of fuel x
Change in temperature
= 5463.6 x 0.23 x (315 – 40)
= 345572.7 kcal/hr

Q7. With the help of a schematic diagram, explain the energy conversion process in a hydroelectric
power plant. (10)

Energy Conversion in a Hydroelectric Power Plant:

• A hydroelectric power plant consists of a high dam that is built across a large river to create a
reservoir, and a station where the process of energy conversion to electricity takes place.
• The first step in the generation of energy in a hydropower plant is the collection of run-offs of
seasonal rain and snow in lakes, streams, and rivers, during the hydrological cycle.
• The run-off flows to dams downstream. The water falls through a dam, into the hydropower plant
and turns a large wheel called a turbine.
• The turbine converts the energy of falling water into mechanical energy to drive the generator.
• This is entirely not harmful, because no pollutants are added to the water while it flows through
the hydropower plant.

Q8. Discuss the advantages and disadvantages of biomass energy in brief. (10)
Advantages of Biomass Energy:
• Biomass energy is considered a renewable form of energy because the organic materials used to
produce it are never-ending.
• It reduces dependency on fossil fuels.
• It produces a smaller amount of harmful greenhouse gases than fossil fuels.
• Biomass energy produces less carbon than fossil fuel energy.
• By burning solid waste, garbage dumped in landfills gets reduced, which reduces the cost of
disposal and the amount of land required for landfills.
• Biomass can be stored and used when required.
Disadvantages of Biomass Energy:
• Biomass is not completely clean energy source as burning of biomass energy releases harmful
gases and other pollutants in the atmosphere.
• Large area of land and large amount of water are required for growing and storing biomass crops.
• Production of biomass fuel is quite expensive due to cost involved in manpower and
transportation.
• Biomass and biofuels have a lower energy density i.e. lower efficiency as compared to fossil fuels.

Q9. Discuss the function of generator, converter and point of common coupling in a Wind Energy
Conversion System (WECS). (8)

(i) Generator:
• A wind generator is an electromechanical component responsible for converting rotational
motion into electrical power, thus converting rotational kinetic energy into electric potential.
• Various types of generators have been in use i.e., squirrel cage induction generator (SCIG),
wound rotor induction generator (WRIG), doubly fed induction generators (DFIG), permanent
magnet synchronous generator (PMSG), and wound rotor synchronous generator (WRSG).
• The generators are optimized to produce power at the rated wind speed, above which control
systems start operating to protect the systems from damage and brakes are applied on to the
generator shaft.

(ii) Power Converter:

• The output electric parameters from the generator vary widely according to the wind speed.
• Each turbine would produce different voltages and frequencies of current at a particular instant,
which is not possible to be directly coupled to the grid without refining.
• A power converter thus acts as an interface for connecting the turbine to the grid. The power
converter transforms the output voltage from AC to DC using a rectifier and again the rectified
DC to AC, having a constant voltage and frequency in subsequent steps using inverter circuit.

(iii) Point of Common Coupling:

• The point of common coupling (PCC) is a connecting point of all the turbines in a wind farm.
• The preferred mode of connection of turbines in the wind farms is a parallel connection.
• This helps in maintaining a desired voltage or having a defined node for connecting more
turbines, if necessary.

Q10. The load (MW) on a power plant on typical day is as under:

Time: 12-5 a.m. 5-9 a.m. 9 a.m. - 6 p.m. 6-10 p.m. 10 p.m. - 12 a.m.
Load: 20 40 80 100 20
Find the load factor of the plant. If the plant has an installed capacity of 125 MW, find the capacity
factor and utilization factor. (8)

• Total Energy Produced (in MWh)

= (20 × 5) + (40 × 4) + (80 × 9) + (100 × 4) + (20 × 2)
= 100 + 160 + 720 + 400 + 40
= 1420 MWh

• Average Load (MW):

= Total Energy / 24 hrs
= 1420 / 24 = 59.17 MW (approx.)

• Peak Load = 100 MW

• Installed Capacity = 125 MW
• Load Factor = Average Load / Peak Load
= 59.17 / 100 = 0.5917 or 59.17%

• Capacity Factor = Average Load / Installed Capacity

= 59.17 / 125 = 0.4734 or 47.34%

• Utilization Factor = Peak Load / Installed Capacity

= 100 / 125 = 0.8 or 80%

Q11. Discuss the disadvantages of a diesel engine-based power plant. (6)

• The major drawback of a diesel engine-based power plant is the high cost of diesel fuel, which
makes operation more expensive compared to other power plants using coal or natural gas.
• These plants also cause air pollution by releasing smoke and harmful gases into the environment.
• They are not suitable for generating large amounts of electricity, as their power output is limited.
• Diesel engines require regular maintenance and servicing to keep them running properly.
• Diesel power plants have a shorter lifespan compared to other types of plants, and storing diesel
safely can also be a challenge.

Q12. Give the classification of hydroelectric power plants on the basis of their capacity and
applications. (6)

Classification of Hydroelectric Power Plants on the Basis of Capacity:

Type Power Output Applicability

Large > 100 MW Large urban population centres
Medium 10 – 100 MW Medium urban population centres
Small communities with possibility to supply
Small 1 – 10MW
electricity to regional grid.
Mini 100 kW – 1MW Small factory or isolated communities.
Micro 5 – 100kW Small, isolated communities.
Pico < 5kW 1 – 2 houses.
Q13. With help of a suitable diagram, explain the working of a Parabolic Trough type CSP system.
(6)
Parabolic Trough Type CSP Systems:
• A parabolic trough consists of a linear parabolic reflector that concentrates light onto a
receiver positioned along the reflector's focal line.
• The receiver is a tube positioned right above the middle of the parabolic mirror and is filled
with a working fluid.
• The reflector is made to follow the sun during the daylight hours by tracking along a single
axis.

Q14. Discuss in brief the scope of electricity generation from wind in India. (6)
Scope of Wind Energy Based Electricity Generation in India:
• India is the world’s fourth largest country in terms of total wind installations after China, the USA
and Germany.
• Wind power has become one of the key renewable energy sources for power generation in India,
contributing a share of at least 6-7% to the country’s electricity generation mix at present.
• National Institute of Wind Energy (NIWE) estimated the installable wind potential capacity is
around 102,788 MW at 80 m above ground level.
• It also estimated that the wind power potential at 100m height as 302,251 MW.
• Under the International Energy Agency (IEA) New Policies Scenario, India’s wind power market
would reach 102 GW by 2030.
• Wind power can play an important role in the coming decade to bring a clean and indigenous
source of power to the people of India.

Q15. What do you understand by brownout and blackout in power system? Explain. (6)
• Brownouts and blackouts are two types of disturbances related to power systems.
• A brownout refers to a temporary reduction in voltage within the power system, but a blackout
is a complete and often sudden loss of electrical power in a particular area.
• During a brownout, the electrical voltage drops below the normal level (typically by 10% to
25%), but power is not completely lost but blackouts involve total power failure.
• In a brownout, lights may dim, and electrical appliances may operate inefficiently or become
damaged while in a blackout, all electrical devices and systems cease to function.
• The key difference between the two lies in the extent of power loss: brownouts involve reduced
voltage and partial functionality, while blackouts result in a total loss of electricity.
• Both can damage sensitive electronic equipment and require proper planning and mitigation
strategies in power system management.

Q16. An economizer is attached to a boiler. Calculate the saving in fuel if performance data of the
boiler is given below: (10)
Gross Calorific Value (GCV) of fuel: 10000 kcal/kg
Rise in feed water temperature: 26 °C
Annual operating hours: 8600 hrs
Average quantity of heat generated: 5 tonne/kg
Solution: Sensible heat gain after installation of economiser = Mass of steam flow x Rise in feed
water temperature
= 5 x 1000 x 26 = 130000 kCal/hr
Saving of fuel = Sensible heat gain after installation of economiser / GCV of fuel oil
= 130000 (kCal/hr) / 10000 (kCal/kg) = 13 kg/hr
Saving of fuel per annum = 13 x 8600 = 111.8 tonnes/annum

Q17. Draw schematic diagram and explain the working of a run-of-river micro hydro power plant.
(10)

Run-of-River Micro Hydro Power Plant Schematic Diagram

• A run-of-river micro hydro power plant channels a portion of a river's flow through a turbine to
generate electricity, without significant water storage.
• The diverted water flows through a pipe called penstock, that carries the water downhill to the
turbine.
• This diversion typically involves a fraction of the river's flow, rather than significantly altering the
river's natural course.
• The penstock takes advantage of the elevation difference (head) to increase the water's velocity
and potential energy.
• The high-velocity water stream is directed onto the blades of a turbine, causing it to spin.
• The spinning turbine is connected to a generator, which converts the mechanical energy from
the turbine into electrical energy
• After passing through the turbine, the water is returned to the river downstream, generally with
minimal environmental impact.

Q18. With the help of a schematic, explain the working of a fixed dome type biogas plant. (10)
Fixed Dome Type Biogas Plant:
• The fixed dome type plant is basically an underground chamber built with the locally
available materials like bricks and stones.
• It has a fixed, non-movable dome on top for gas storage.
• Feedstock is added through the inlet pipe into the digester tank.
• The produced biogas is collected above the slurry and leaves the tank through a gas pipe
connected to the top of the digester.
• The slurry leaves the digester through an outlet pipe and is collected in an outlet pit or
displacement tank.
• The gas is kept roughly at a constant volume while the pressure varies.
• The fixed dome type is relatively cheap.
The following figure shows a fixed dome type biogas plant:

Q19. A wind turbine tapped 120 kW of wind energy when the velocity of air swept by the turbine
blades is 12 m/s. Determine the area of the wind swept by the turbine blade if the air density is
assumed to be 1.225 kg/m3. (8)
Sol: Wind Energy = 0.5 x ρ x v3 x A Watts = 120 kW

Where ρ = density of the air in kg/m3 = 1.225 kg/m3

v = velocity of the wind in m/s = 12 m/s

A = area of wind swept by the turbine blades in m2

Therefore,
Wind Energy
A =
0.5 x ρ x 𝑣 3

120 x 1000
=
0.5 x 1.225 x 123

= 113.378 m2

Q20. In a power plant, how utilization factor is related to capacity factor? Discuss. (8)
Capacity Factor (CF):
• The capacity factor is the ratio of the actual energy produced over a given period to the
energy that could have been produced if the plant operated at full rated capacity for the
same period.
• Capacity Factor reflects overall energy production performance over time.

Utilization Factor (UF):

• The utilization factor is the ratio of the maximum load (or demand) on the plant to the rated
capacity of the plant.
• Utilization Factor shows the degree to which the installed capacity is used at its peak.

Also,

• While UF gives insight into peak capacity use, CF gives a broader picture of energy production
over time.
• High UF and high LF together lead to high CF, indicating efficient plant operation.

Q21. Give a comparison between a fire tube boiler and a water tube boiler. (6)

Comparison Between Fire Tube Boiler and Water Tube Boiler

 Fire Tube Boiler Water Tube Boiler
Hot gases pass through tubes; water Water flows inside tubes; hot gases
surrounds the tubes surround the tubes
Works at low pressure (up to 25 bar) Works at high pressure (above 100
and generates steam slowly. bar) and generates steam quickly.
Larger in size for same power output Compact and lighter for same power
output
Lower cost, easy maintenance and Higher cost, maintenance is difficult
cleaning due to small tube size
Higher risk of explosion due to large Safer, as less water is present inside
water content under pressure
Used in small plants and low-power Used in high-power industries and
applications thermal power plants

Q22. Discuss in brief the potential of hydroelectric power in India and barriers in utilization of
hydro power. (6)
Potential of Hydroelectric Power in India:
• India ranks 5th in the world in terms of exploitable hydro potential. The total installed capacity of
hydropower in India is 45650 MW.
• India has an exploitable hydropower potential of around 148700 MW.
• India has immense amount of hydroelectric potential but there are many factors due to which
this potential is not totally utilized.
• Hydroelectric schemes having installed capacity of about 26,460 MW have been planned but not
taken for construction.
• Several hydroelectric plants in India are delayed due to contractual conflicts, environmental
clearances, local disturbances, financial stress etc.
• As water and its utilization are controlled by states, the construction of hydroelectric plants gets
delayed due to conflicts among states sharing the river.

Q23. With help of a suitable diagram, explain the working of a Parabolic Dish type CSP system. (6)
Parabolic Dish Type CSP Systems
• A Parabolic dish system consists of a parabolic-shaped point focus concentrator in the form
of a dish that reflects solar radiation onto a receiver mounted at the focal point.
• These concentrators are mounted on a structure with a two-axis tracking system to follow
the sun.
• Dish can attain extremely high temperatures. The collected heat is typically utilized directly
by a heat engine mounted on the receiver moving with the dish structure.
Q24. What are the major challenges in electricity generation from wind? Discuss. (6)
Challenges in Wind Power:
• The cost of electricity generation from wind is very high as compared to other non-conventional
resources.
• Good land-based wind sites are mostly remote locations, far from cities where the electricity is
needed.
• Wind turbines require longer blades and transporting them over long distances is difficult and
uneconomical.
• Grid connected wind turbines may cause power quality problems, such as voltage variation and
flicker.
• Wind energy can have adverse environmental impacts i.e. degradation of habitat for wildlife, fish,
and plants.
• Spinning turbine blades can pose a threat to flying wildlife like birds and bats.

Q25. In a year, the power plants in India consumed 39.5 x 1015 Btu (British Thermal Units) of energy
and produced 3.675 x 1012 kWh of electricity. What is the average efficiency of the power plants
in India? (6)
Solution:
Energy Input = 39.5 x 1015 Btu
Energy Output = 3.675 x 1012 kWh
Since 1 kWh = 3412 Btu
Therefore 3.675 x 1012 kWh = 12.539 x 1015 Btu
Energy Output
Efficiency, η = x 100
Energy Input

12.539 x 1015
Therefore, η = x 100
39.5 x 1015

= 31.74 %

Q26. With the help of a schematic diagram, explain the working of a diesel engine-based power
plant. (10)
 Schematic Diagram of a Diesel Engine-Based Power Plant

• A diesel engine-based power plant works by converting the chemical energy of diesel fuel into
electrical energy.
• Air is first filtered and mixed with diesel fuel, which is then injected into the engine’s combustion
chamber.
• The high compression in the chamber causes the fuel to ignite, producing heat and pressure that
push the piston down.
• This movement turns the crankshaft, which is connected to an alternator.
• The alternator then converts the mechanical energy into electrical energy.
• Supporting systems like cooling, lubrication, fuel supply, and exhaust systems help maintain
smooth and efficient operation.

Q27. With the help of a schematic diagram, explain the working of a high head type hydroelectric
power plant. (10)
Working of a High Head Hydroelectric Power Plant:
• In a high head power plant, a dam is constructed at such a level that the maximum reserve water
level is formed.
• A pressure tunnel is constructed which is connected to the valve house.
• Water is coming from reservoir to valve house via this pressure tunnel and it is the starting of
penstock.
• A surge tank is also constructed before valve house which reduces water hammering to the
penstock in case of sudden closing of fixed gates of water turbine.
• Surge tank also stores some extra water which is useful for peak load demand because it will
serve extra water to the turbine.
• Valve house consists of a main valve sluice valves and automatic isolating valves, which operate
on bursting penstock and cut off further supply of water to penstock.
• The penstock is a connecting pipe which supplies water from valve house to the turbine.
 Schematic of a High head Power
Plant

Q28. Draw a neat sketch of a floating drum type biogas plant and explain its working. (10)
Floating Drum Type Biogas Plant:
• The floating drum type plant is constructed with concrete and steel.
• Only the steel cover is above ground, and the rest of the components of are housed below the
ground.
• Feedstock is added through the inlet pipe into the digester tank.
• The produced biogas is collected above the slurry and leaves the tank through a gas pipe
connected to the top of the digester.
• The slurry leaves the digester through an outlet pipe and is collected in an outlet pit
or a displacement tank.
• The steel cover floating on the slurry moves vertically to accommodate the constant biogas
pressure.
• Higher gas pressures can be achieved by adding a weight on the top of the holder.

The following figure shows a floating drum type biogas plant:

Q29. Draw schematic diagram of a grid connected Wind Energy Conversion System (WECS). (8)
The schematic of a typical grid connected WECS is shown in the following figure:

Q30. A residential consumer has the following connected load: (8)

8 bulbs of 100 W each, 2 fans of 60 W each, and 2 light plug points of 100 W each. His use of
electricity during a day is as under:

12 midnight to 5 a.m. 1 fan

5 a.m. to 7 a.m. 2 fans and 1 light point
7 a.m. to 9 a.m. Nil
9 a.m. to 6 p.m. 2 fans
6 p.m. to 12 midnight 2 fans and 4 bulbs
Calculate: (a) Energy consumed during 24 hours (b) Demand Factor
Solution:
Connected Load:
8 × 100 W + 2 × 60 W + 2 × 100 W
= 800 W + 120 W + 200 W = 1.12 kW

(a) Energy Consumed During 24 Hours:

60 W × 5 h + 220 W × 2 h + 0 W x 2 h + 120 W × 9 h + 520 W × 6 h
= 0.3 kWh + 0.44 kWh + 0 kWh + 1.08 kWh + 3.12 kWh
= 4.94 kWh

Maximum Demand = 0.52 kW

Connected Load = 1.12 kW
(b) Demand Factor = Maximum Demand / Connected Load
= 0.52 kW / 1.12 = 0.4643 or 46.43 %