THERMAL GENERATING PLANTS CONSTRUCTION PROJECT BASIC INFORMATION AND TUTORIALS



Thermal generating plants are designed and constructed to convert energy from fuel (coal, oil, gas, or radiation) into electric power. The actual conversion is accomplished by a turbine-driven generator.

Thermal generating plants differ from industrial plants in that the nature of the product never changes. The plant will always produce electric energy. The things that may change are the fuel used (coal, oil, or gas) and environmental requirements.

Many plants that were originally designed for coal were later converted to oil, converted back to coal, and then converted to gas. Environmental requirements have changed, which has required the construction of air and water emissions control systems.

Plant electrical systems should be designed to allow for further growth. Sizing of transformers and buses is at best a matter of guesswork. The plant electrical system should be sized at 5 to 10% the size of the generating unit depending on the plant configuration and number of units at the plant site.

Plant Auxiliary System
Selection of Auxiliary System Voltages
The most common plant auxiliary system voltages are 13,800 V, 6900 V, 4160 V, 2400 V, and 480 V. The highest voltage is determined by the largest motor. If motors of 4000 hp or larger are required, one should consider using 13,800 V. If the largest motor required is less than 4000 hp, then 4160 V should be satisfactory.

Auxiliary System Loads
Auxiliary load consists of motors and transformers. Transformers supply lower level buses which supply smaller motors and transformers which supply lower voltage buses. Generation plants built before 1950 may have an auxiliary generator that is connected to the main generator shaft. The auxiliary generator will supply plant loads when the plant is up and running.

Auxiliary System Power Sources
The power sources for a generating plant consist of one or more off-site sources and one or more onsite sources. The on-site sources are the generator and, in some cases, a black start diesel generator or a gas turbine generator which may be used as a peaker.

Auxiliary System Voltage Regulation Requirements
Most plants will not require voltage regulation. A load flow study will indicate if voltage regulation is required. Transformers with tap changers, static var compensators, or induction regulators may be used to keep plant bus voltages within acceptable limits. Switched capacitor banks and overexcited synchronous motors may also be used to regulate bus voltage.

Plant One-Line Diagram
The one-line diagram is the most important document you will use. Start with a conceptual one-line and add detail as it becomes available. The one-line diagram will help you think about your design and make it easier to discuss with others.

Do not be afraid to get something on paper very early and modify as you get more information about the design. Consider how the plant will be operated. Will there be a start-up source and a running source? Are there on-site power sources?
Plant Equipment Voltage Ratings
Establish at least one bus for each voltage rating in the plant. Two or more buses may be required depending on how the plant will be operated.

Grounded vs. Ungrounded Systems
A method of grounding must be determined for each voltage level in the plant.

Ungrounded
Most systems will be grounded in some manner with the exception for special cases of 120-V control systems which may be operated ungrounded for reliability reasons. An ungrounded system may be allowed to continue to operate with a single ground on the system. Ungrounded systems are undesirable because ground faults are difficult to locate. Also, ground faults can result in system overvoltage, which can damage equipment that is connected to the ungrounded system.

Grounded
Most systems 480 V and lower will be solidly grounded.

Low-Resistance Grounding
Low-resistance grounding systems are used at 2400 V and above. This system provides enough ground fault current to allow relay coordination and limits ground fault current to a value low enough to prevent equipment damage.

High-Resistance Grounding
High-resistance grounding systems limit ground fault current to a very low value but make relay coordination for ground faults difficult.

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