Energy Sources Flashcards
The process of Generating electric power from sources of primary energy
Power Generation
An industrial facility that generates electricity from primary energy
Power plant
- A black or brownish-black sedimentary rock
- Can be burned for fuel and used to generate electricity
Coal
It has the highest carbon content, the fewest impurities, and the highest energy density of all types of coal and is the highest ranking of coals.
Anthracite
It is the most abundant rank of coal, with deposits found around the world. It is used primarily for electrical power generation and in the steel industry.
Bituminous
A lower grade of coal that contains 35–45% carbon. The properties of this type are between those of lignite, the lowest grade of coal. It is primarily used as a fuel for steam-electric power generation.
Sub-Bituminous
It has a carbon content around 25–35% and is considered the lowest rank of coal due to its relatively low heat content. It contains a very high amount of moisture, which partially explains its low carbon content.
Lignite
Process of Coal Energy Generation
- Coal Transportation
- Coal Combustion
- Boiler and Steam Generation
- Steam Turns the Turbines
- Electricity Generation
- Steam Cooling
- Voltage Adjustment
- Also known as coal fired power stations
- Facilities that burn coal to make steam in order to generate electricity
Coal Fired Power Plant
Coal Power Plant Components
- Coal Supply System
- Furnace
- Boiler
- Turbine
- Generator
- Transformer
- Power Transmission Lines
Advantages of Coal Fired Powerplant
- Abundant supply
- Currently inexpensive to extract
- Reliable and capable of generating large amount of power
Disadvantages of Coal Fired Powerplant
- Emits major greenhouse gases/acid rain
- High environmental impact from mining and burning
- Finite energy source
What is the most abundant source of electricity worldwide
Coal
It is a fossil fuel composed primarily of methane.
Natural Gas
Composition and Properties of Natural Gas
- Methane (CH₄).
- A mixture of hydrocarbon compounds
- Odorless
- High calorific value
- Clean-burning fossil fuels
a fossil fuel that comes from deep underground, formed from the remains of plants and animals over millions of years.
Natural Gas
Found in traditional reservoirs and extracted through drilling wells.
Conventional Natural Gas
Includes shale, tight gas, coalbed methane, requiring specific methods (e.g., hydraulic fracturing).
Unconventional Gas
Extracted alongside oil from oil fields.
Associated Gas
This is the primary machine that burns natural gas to produce mechanical energy, which powers a generator.
Gas Turbine
Draws air into the engine, pressurizes it, and feeds it to the combustion chamber at speeds of hundreds of miles per hour.
Compressor
It is where the actual burning of natural gas takes place. Its purpose is to combine natural gas and compressor-generated compressed air, then burn the combination to create very hot, high-pressure gases.
Combustion Chamber
A machine that converts mechanical energy from both the gas turbine and steam turbine into electrical energy.
Generator
In combined-cycle plants, this system recovers exhaust heat from the gas turbine to generate steam.
Heat Recovery Steam Generator
This turbine is powered by steam from the HRSG, contributing to additional electricity generation.
Steam Turbine
It condense the steam exiting the steam turbine back into water so it can be reused in the HRSG.
Condenser
A system that dissipates waste heat from the plant, often using water or air cooling towers.
Cooling System
The electronic systems monitor and manage the operation of the power plant, including the combustion process, turbine speeds, and overall power generation.
Control System
Advantages of Natural Gas Powerplant
- Affordable
- Clean Combustion
- Steady energy source for heating & electricity
- Used for heating electricity
- Efficient Transportation (Pipelines)
Disadvantages of Natural Gas Powerplant
- Non-renewable resource
- Greenhouse gas emissions
- Prices can fluctuate
- Infrastructure development and maintenance are expensive
- Highly flammable
- Release pollutants, groundwater contamination
Uses both a gas and a steam turbine together to produce up to 50% more electricity from the same fuel than a traditional simple-cycle plant. The waste heat from the gas turbine is routed to the nearby steam turbine, which generates extra power.
Combined Cycle Powerplant
Operates by propelling hot gas through a turbine to generate electricity. It is simpler but less efficient.
Simple Cycle Powerplant
Invented Diesel Engine
Rudolf Diesel
The first ever diesel-powered car was built by Rudolf Diesel in 1900
Mercedes Benz
A natural liquid found in rock formations, primarily composed of hydrocarbons. Extracted through drilling.
Oil
- A specific type of fuel derived from crude oil.
- It’s heavier and less refined than gasoline, used mainly in engines for transportation and electricity generation.
Diesel
Refining Process of Oil
Distilled into various products.
Ex. diesel, gasoline, kerosene, and
other petrochemicals.
Crude Oil Extraction
Extracted from deep underground reservoirs
Consists of a diesel engine and a generator that converts mechanical energy into electrical energy.
Diesel Generator (DG) set
The largest Bunker-Fired Power plant in terms of generating capacity
Bauang Diesel Power plant
Advantages of Diesel Energy
- Provides continuous power
- Efficient at converting fuel to power
- Locations are mobile
Disadvantages of Diesel Energy
- Pollution and Emissions
- High Operating Costs
- Finite Resource (Non-renewable)
- Noise Pollution
The energy in the nucleus of an atom. World’s Second Largest Source of Low-Carbon Electricity
Nuclear Energy
Occurs when two atoms slam together to form a heavier atom, like when two hydrogen atoms fuse to form one helium atom.
Nuclear Fusion
Occurs when a neutron slams into a larger atom, forcing it to excite and split into two smaller atoms. Used to generate nuclear energy
Nuclear Fission
Most Nuclear Power Plant use this as fuel to produce nuclear power
Uranium (U-235)
Nuclear energy produces radioactive waste such as…
Uranium Pellets
Uranium atoms split, releasing heat, powering pressurized water
Fission Reaction
Hot water creates steam in a steam generator
Heat Exchange
Steam spins turbine, generating electricity
Turbine Operation
Steam is cooled back into water
Cooling Process
Cooled water is reused, creating a closed loop
Recirculation
Are devices that regulate the power and reactivity of a nuclear reactor by absorbing neutrons.
Control Rod
The container surrounding and protecting the core of a nuclear reactor.
Reactor vessel
- Uses light water
- Indirect steam cycle
- Has a primary cooling circuit and a secondary circuit
Pressurized water reactors (PWR)
- Uses light water
- Direct steam cycle
- Has a single circuit
Boiling water reactors (bWR)
- Same process as PWR
- Uses heavy fuel, a chemically different form of water
- Can use naturally-occurring uranium as fuel
Pressurized heavy water reactor (PhWR)
Conditions when and where to construct a nuclear power plant
- Seismic activity must be assessed
- Soil and rock stability must be evaluated
- Location should be above flood zones
Advantages of Nuclear Energy
- Clean and sustainable energy
- Recyclable waste
- Lower public health risk
- Long operational cycles
- Recognition as green energy
Disadvantages of Nuclear Energy
- Large stockpile of toxic waste
- Severe consequences of rare failures
- High initial costs
- Lengthy construction timelines
- Competition with renewables
Proper Waste Disposal of Nuclear Energy
- Near Surface Disposal
- Deep Geological Disposal
The most common type of power plant in the world, accounting for about 60% global electricity generation.
Thermal Power Plant
- Water is the power source in the generation of electricity
- The use of flowing water to produce electricity.
Hydro Electric
- Renewable Resource
- Climate regulation
- Big source of hydroelectric power plants
Water
A wall built across a river that stops the river’s flow and collects the water, especially to make a reservoir that provides water for an area.
Dam
An artificial pool of water in front of a larger body of water, with various functions such as flood control, sediment trapping, or habitat creation.
Forebay
A sluice or gate or intake structure that controls water flow
Penstock
A power producing machine in which the reservoir is at higher level and turbine is located at the ground. The water flowing through the penstock strikes the blade (Here the potential energy is converted into kinetic energy and kinetic into rotational energy) and then with the help of generator the electricity is obtained.
Impulse Turbine
Generates torque by reacting to the fluid’s mass or pressure. It has fixed rotor blades and a rotating nozzle.
Reaction Turbine
Advantages of Hydroelectric Energy
- Renewable Source of Energy
- Low Greenhouse Gas Emission
- Ability to Store Energy
Disadvantages of Hydroelectric Energy
- Limited Availability
- Geological Damage
- High Initial Cost
- Social Impact
The heat energy from the earth
Geothermal Energy
- Warming Single Buildings or Entire Districts
- Heating swimming pools, spas, greenhouses, and aquaculture ponds
- Drying Agricultural Products
Direct-Use Applications
Often used to transfer heat from geothermal fluids with problematic minerals or gases.
Heat Exchangers
- Transfers heat from the ground into buildings during the winter and reverse the process in the summer
- Utilized for heating buildings since ancient times,
Geothermal Heat Pumps
Generates electricity by utilizing heat from the Earth’s interior.
Electric Power Generation
It utilizes underground steam resources, piping the steam directly to turbines connected to generators to produce electricity.
Dry Steam Power Plant
- Use high-temperature geothermal reservoirs (>360°F or 182°C).
- Hot water rises through wells, pressure decreases, and water “flashes” into steam.
- Steam powers a turbine, driving a generator to produce electricity.
- Excess water is reinjected into the reservoir, ensuring sustainability.
Flash Steam Power Plant
- It generates electricity using lower-temperature geothermal resources (225–360°F or 107–182°C).
- Heat from geothermal water is transferred to a working fluid with a low boiling point in a heat exchanger.
- The working fluid vaporizes, drives a turbine, and powers an electrical generator.
- Geothermal water is reinjected into the ground for reheating.
- Working fluid is contained in a closed loop, ensuring minimal or no air emissions
Binary Cycle Power Plant
Advantages of Thermal Energy
- Good for the Environment
- Renewable Energy
- Small land footprint
- Heating & Cooling
Disadvantages of Thermal Energy
- Specific Location
- Cause Earthquake
- Greenhouse gas emission
- Use of water
Discovered light particles known today as “photons” in 1905
Albert Einstein
An independent power plant. This type of plant is used in a place where a grid is not available like forest, hilly area etc.
Standalone System
- Used to generate bulk power and transmit it to the load by a grid.
- In this system, a greater number of solar panels are used to generate more power.
Grid-Connected System
It is made up of small solar cells. This is a device that is used to convert solar photon energy into electrical energy.
Photovoltaic Panels
The output of the solar panel is in the form of DC. The most of load connected to the power system network is in the form of AC. Therefore, we need to convert DC output power into AC power.
Inverter
Used to control the charging and discharging of the battery. Is used to avoid the overcharging of the battery.
Charge Controller
A diode that is connected between the battery and panel to avoid reversal current from battery to panel.
Blocking Diode
Used to maintain fluctuation within an acceptable range.
Voltage regulator
Bell Labs created the modern solar-electric cell, partly by accident, while researching the properties of…
Silicon Semiconductors
The natural flow of air that is created when changes in temperature causes air to move from high to low pressure areas.
It is a growing source of reliable and clean energy around the world.
Wind
Vary based on geography, topography and season.
Wind Speed
Captures the natural wind in our environment and converts the air’s motion into mechanical energy.
Wind Energy
A machine that converts kinetic energy from the wind into electricity.
Wind Turbine
Generate electricity from wind energy using array of wind turbines. Factors to consider in wind turbine placement;
- Wind conditions
- Terrain
- Transmission access
- Environmental considerations
Wind Powerplant
Advantages of Wind Energy
- Renewable Energy Source
- Work in different settings
- Efficient use of land space
- Low operating cost
Disadvantages of Wind Energy
- Limited by location
- Produce noise and alter visual aesthetics
- High Startup Cost
- Negative Impact on Wildlife
Made of material that comes from living organisms, such as plants and animals; plants, wood, and waste. Used for heating and electricity generation and as a transportation fuel.
Biomass
Uses heat to transform biomass into energy or other products.
Thermochemical Conversion
Relies on biological processes to break down biomass into energy-rich products.
Biochemical Conversion
Advantages of Biomass Energy
- Renewable
- Carbon Neutral
- Waste Reduction
- Versatile Application and Diverse Sources
- Supports Rural Economies
Disadvantages of Biomass Energy
- Land and Resource Intensive
- Deforestation and Habitat Loss
- Not efficient and is costly
- Transportation Challenges
- Air pollution and Greenhouse Gas emissions
Are caused due to gravitational forces from the moon, sun, and earth’s rotation.
Tides
They occur when the gravitational pull of the Moon and Sun are at right angles to the Earth, which reduces their combined gravitational influence.
Low tide
When the sun, moon, and Earth are in alignment (at the time of the new or full moon)
High Tide
A sustainable energy source that harnesses the power of ocean tides. Harnesses the kinetic and potential energy of ocean tides and waves.
Tidal Energy
A type of tidal power generation that involves the construction of a fairly low dam wall
Tidal Barrage
Is another form of tidal stream technology, which directly exploits fast flowing underwater ocean currents for energy generation
Tidal Fence
Are similar to wind turbines because they both have blades that turn a rotor to power a generator. They can be placed on the sea floor.
Tidal Turbine
Advantages of Tidal Energy
- Tides are easily predictable
- Reliable and Renewable Resources
- High energy density
- It produces no greenhouse gases or other waste
- Tidal turbines are more efficient, which is higher than solar or wind energy generators.
- Barrages reduce the damage of high tidal surges in the land.
Disadvantages of Tidal Energy
- Initial construction cost is very high
- Effect on animal and plants living the tidal stations
- Water cannot be replenished, and hence the dirt gets settled within the coast
- It generates power for only about 10 hours of the day, when tide is moving in and out
- Very few suitable sites for constructing barrages
A power plant that supplies electrical power continuously throughout the year
Base Load Power Plant
A power plant that supply electricity during the hours of peak load only
Peak Load Power Plant
