Electrical Power System:
Electrical power system includes power
generation, electrical power transmission & distribution, control & power system protection, electrical switchgear, power transformers, control & protection relays, transmission &
distribution substations, and all switch
yard equipment. Electric power has become increasingly important as a way of
transmitting and transforming energy in industrial, military and transportation
uses. Electric power systems are also at the heart of alternative energy
systems, including wind and solar electric, geothermal and small scale
hydroelectric generation.
Power/power system Engineering:
Power engineering is a network of interconnected components
which convert different forms of energy to electrical energy. Power engineering or power
systems engineering, is a subfield of electrical engineering that deals with four
subsystems_the generation, transmission, distribution and utilization of
electric power as well as the design of a range of electrical
devices connected to such systems including
transformers, electric generators, electric motors, high voltage engineering, and power electronics.In the generation subsystem, the power plant produces the
electricity. The transmission subsystem transmits the electricity to the load
centers. The distribution subsystem continues to transmit the power to the
customers/consumers. The utilization system is concerned with the different
uses of electrical energy like illumination, refrigeration, traction, electric
drives, etc. Utilization is a very recent concept in Power engineering.
In many regions of the world, governments maintain an
electrical network called a power grid that connects a variety of generators
together with users of their energy. Users purchase electrical energy from the
grid, avoiding the costly exercise of having to generate their own. Power
engineers may work on the design and maintenance of the power grid as well as
the power systems that connect to it. Such systems are called on-grid power systems and may supply the grid
with additional power, draw power from the grid or do both.
The grid is designed and managed using software that performs simulations of power flows. Power engineers may also work on
systems that do not connect to the grid, called off-grid power systems, which in some cases are
preferable to on-grid systems.
Power management is the engineering aspect of managing the
electric loads such that available power sources are not overloaded and power
is allocated to the different loads such that the loads are receiving a proper
allocation of power. Power management is a major issue with which the computer
system designers have to deal but it is equally critical for the electric
utility engineers, operators and system planners.
Utility engineers have to study how the
electric loads flow from the generators to the users over transmission and
distribution lines. The system has to operate stably under many different
assumed fault or disturbance conditions. In the new deregulated environment,
power plants can be connected or disconnected almost at will. Short circuit
analysis is used to calculate the short circuit currents at all points of the
electric system under different operating scenarios. This is used to determine
the required short circuit rating of the equipment but also to set the
protective relays used to detect faults and to initiate isolation of the
faulted portion of the electric power system. The short circuit data is also
used to determine that the coordination between different relays or fuses is
proper so that only the minimum faulted area is removed form the system.
Improper coordinating can lead to major outages with numerous undesirable
consequences.
Commercial and industrial power systems
require similar careful studies although in these systems the emphasis might be
more on making sure that cables are adequate to serve the intended loads. Power
quality is a major issue for industrial and commercial power users. Stand-by or
emergency power sources might be required for safety reasons. Reliability
studies and failure modes and effects analysis are often performed to identify
weak spots in the power system so that costly disturbances of a processing
plant or a business enterprise can be avoided.
Exponent engineers and scientists are familiar with power engineering principles and have tools for analysis of power systems of all sizes. Such analytical work is often needed to understand equipment failures, malfunction of protective relaying devices, and to estimate the energy to which a person is exposed when subjected to an arc flash. The future includes Satellite controlled power systems, with feedback in real time to prevent power surges and prevent blackouts.
Exponent engineers and scientists are familiar with power engineering principles and have tools for analysis of power systems of all sizes. Such analytical work is often needed to understand equipment failures, malfunction of protective relaying devices, and to estimate the energy to which a person is exposed when subjected to an arc flash. The future includes Satellite controlled power systems, with feedback in real time to prevent power surges and prevent blackouts.
(One of the most interesting aspects of power engineering is
the process of using other forms of energy to create electricity. Power
engineers are discovering that other natural resources such as water, sun, and
wind can all be used for power generation. These discoveries have caused the
field of engineering to expand its branches so that each power source can
receive its own special attention and study.Another aspect of power engineering
is the design and construction of electrical grids. These are often needed in
urban development and they are vital to every country's infrastructure. The
economic prosperity of a country is often evident in its infrastructure and the
complexity of its electrical grid system.Most countries have an electric power
grid which is used to operate a network of electrical power lines. These lines
are essential to the regular day-to-day activities many people take for
granted. Many people do not even realize the importance of power engineering
unless there is a disruption in electrical service. Not only do power engineers
have the job of designing and constructing power grid systems, they also have
the task of repairing, maintaining, and modernizing power plants. Power
engineering works hand in hand with industrial facilities, government agencies,
utility companies and environmental agencies to determine how power will be
provided to people.)
