Energy Efficiency of Different Types of Power Stations
VerifiedAdded on 2023/06/15
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AI Summary
This article discusses the efficiency of different types of power stations including fossil fuel, nuclear, hydroelectric, solar, wind and wave power stations. It also suggests ways to reduce energy losses when using electrical appliances. The article includes a procedure for using a digital multimeter to measure voltage, current and resistance in a circuit. The subject is relevant to energy and physics courses.
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RUNNING HEAD: Energy & our Universe 1
Electricity
Authors name
Institution affiliation
Date of submission
Electricity
Authors name
Institution affiliation
Date of submission
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Energy & our Universe 2
Task 3
title: using the digital multimeter
objectives: at the end of the experiment, student should be able to;
Describe the operation and put in use measuring instruments.
Ascertain ohms’ law by comparing measured value with calculated value.
Equipment list:
1. Ammeter
2. Voltmeter
3. Ohmmeter
Procedure:
I. Set up two circuits as shown by the tutor. One with 1 lamp and 2 cells and the other
with 2 lamps and 2 cells., being circuit a and b respectively.
II. Plug the probes into their respective ports i.e. the red one in the mAVΩ and the black
in the COM.
III. To measure voltage in circuit a set the knob in the DC range to ’20 V’. touch the
probes, each on either side of the lamp such that it forms a parallel connection. Read
and record the voltage reading.
IV. To measure current, set the knob to the 200mA range and connect the multimeter in
series to the circuit. (disconnect the wire going to the lamp and connect the
multimeter in between so that current passes through the meter before reaching the
lamp). Record the displayed reading.
V. Repeat steps (iii) & (iv) on circuit b and record the displayed readings.
VI. Using ohms’ law, calculate the resistances of the circuits a and b using the measured
values.
Task 3
title: using the digital multimeter
objectives: at the end of the experiment, student should be able to;
Describe the operation and put in use measuring instruments.
Ascertain ohms’ law by comparing measured value with calculated value.
Equipment list:
1. Ammeter
2. Voltmeter
3. Ohmmeter
Procedure:
I. Set up two circuits as shown by the tutor. One with 1 lamp and 2 cells and the other
with 2 lamps and 2 cells., being circuit a and b respectively.
II. Plug the probes into their respective ports i.e. the red one in the mAVΩ and the black
in the COM.
III. To measure voltage in circuit a set the knob in the DC range to ’20 V’. touch the
probes, each on either side of the lamp such that it forms a parallel connection. Read
and record the voltage reading.
IV. To measure current, set the knob to the 200mA range and connect the multimeter in
series to the circuit. (disconnect the wire going to the lamp and connect the
multimeter in between so that current passes through the meter before reaching the
lamp). Record the displayed reading.
V. Repeat steps (iii) & (iv) on circuit b and record the displayed readings.
VI. Using ohms’ law, calculate the resistances of the circuits a and b using the measured
values.
Energy & our Universe 3
VII. Remove the power supply from the circuit and test for the resistance of the circuits by
placing the knob to 20kΩ range. Record the readings obtained.
VIII. Compare the calculated and measured values of resistance
Conclusion
Ohms law gives the relationship between the current, voltage and resistance in a circuit
i.e. (V=IR). It is better to use the formula to countercheck the measured value of the
circuits resistance. The calculated and measured values of resistance are almost similar.
The deviation occurs because of miscellaneous readings from other components of the
circuit picked by the multimeter (Pickering, 2016).
Task4: Efficiency of different types of power stations
fossil fuel
biomass
nuclear fuel
wave powered
wind powered
solar powered
hydroelectric
power
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
efficiency
efficiency
Power plants that run on fossil fuels such as coal function on the improved Rankine
thermodynamic cycle. This cycle can be operated differently depending on the specific
parameters. Averagely a fossil fuel power plant has an efficiency in the range of 31%-41%,
with ours operating at an efficiency of 35%. The range is usually as a factor of the superheat
VII. Remove the power supply from the circuit and test for the resistance of the circuits by
placing the knob to 20kΩ range. Record the readings obtained.
VIII. Compare the calculated and measured values of resistance
Conclusion
Ohms law gives the relationship between the current, voltage and resistance in a circuit
i.e. (V=IR). It is better to use the formula to countercheck the measured value of the
circuits resistance. The calculated and measured values of resistance are almost similar.
The deviation occurs because of miscellaneous readings from other components of the
circuit picked by the multimeter (Pickering, 2016).
Task4: Efficiency of different types of power stations
fossil fuel
biomass
nuclear fuel
wave powered
wind powered
solar powered
hydroelectric
power
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
efficiency
efficiency
Power plants that run on fossil fuels such as coal function on the improved Rankine
thermodynamic cycle. This cycle can be operated differently depending on the specific
parameters. Averagely a fossil fuel power plant has an efficiency in the range of 31%-41%,
with ours operating at an efficiency of 35%. The range is usually as a factor of the superheat
Energy & our Universe 4
pressures and steam temperatures caused by the superheat and reheat. Large power plants
have an efficiency range of 35-38% because they operate at a reheat temperatures of 570o C,
170 bar steam pressure and 570o C superheat. Super critical plants have an efficiency of 42%
because of raised steam pressures at 220 bar and 600/600o C.
Nuclear power plant efficiency is somewhat different from other plants. The Rankine
thermodynamic cycle is used on the side of the steam turbine with saturated steam
temperature conditions. Hence resulting in a lower low efficiency rate when compared to the
coal power station. Energy transferred to the steam is a small percentage since most of it is
lost during nuclear fission. This puts the thermal efficiency of a nuclear plant at 35%-38%,
with ours being 35% (Bahman Zohuri, 2017).
Hydroelectric power has the highest efficiency range of up to 85-90% and also the
most used renewable type of energy. These power plants experience low energy conversion
losses because the potential water head is placed next to the turbine. The only losses
experienced are copper and mechanical losses.
Solar plants have an efficiency of about 20%. The incident solar radiation is radically
influenced by the surrounding weather conditions and suns moving path (John A. Duffie,
2013).
Wind powered plants highly depend on the availability of its energy source.
According to Betz limit, 59.6% is the theoretical value of the amount of energy converted to
electricity from wind. The rest is used by the wind to go past the blade. Large wind power
plants are more efficient than the coal powered plants even though they operate less number
of times.
Wave powered plants operate just like the hydroelectric plants. They have a high
efficiency of up to 95% because of the minimum losses that only occur in the generators.
pressures and steam temperatures caused by the superheat and reheat. Large power plants
have an efficiency range of 35-38% because they operate at a reheat temperatures of 570o C,
170 bar steam pressure and 570o C superheat. Super critical plants have an efficiency of 42%
because of raised steam pressures at 220 bar and 600/600o C.
Nuclear power plant efficiency is somewhat different from other plants. The Rankine
thermodynamic cycle is used on the side of the steam turbine with saturated steam
temperature conditions. Hence resulting in a lower low efficiency rate when compared to the
coal power station. Energy transferred to the steam is a small percentage since most of it is
lost during nuclear fission. This puts the thermal efficiency of a nuclear plant at 35%-38%,
with ours being 35% (Bahman Zohuri, 2017).
Hydroelectric power has the highest efficiency range of up to 85-90% and also the
most used renewable type of energy. These power plants experience low energy conversion
losses because the potential water head is placed next to the turbine. The only losses
experienced are copper and mechanical losses.
Solar plants have an efficiency of about 20%. The incident solar radiation is radically
influenced by the surrounding weather conditions and suns moving path (John A. Duffie,
2013).
Wind powered plants highly depend on the availability of its energy source.
According to Betz limit, 59.6% is the theoretical value of the amount of energy converted to
electricity from wind. The rest is used by the wind to go past the blade. Large wind power
plants are more efficient than the coal powered plants even though they operate less number
of times.
Wave powered plants operate just like the hydroelectric plants. They have a high
efficiency of up to 95% because of the minimum losses that only occur in the generators.
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Energy & our Universe 5
Waves are caused by wind passing over the ocean and so can never be a limited source of
energy.
Biomass power plants record a low efficiency rate compared to the other types of
renewable sources of energy. This is because energy produced from biomass occurs naturally
through the process of photosynthesis. This places its electricity generation efficiency rate at
27% despite it having a high biomass energy of 75-80%.
Task 5
a) How can energy losses be reduced when transferring electricity through the National
Grid?
Losses are expected to occur whenever current passes through a wire. Reducing the losses
through a national grid would require the transmission of electricity to be at a low current.
Low current means high voltage therefore a transformer is used to raise the voltage of the
AC. Two types of transformers are used; A step down transformer is used to raise the
voltage for transmission and when it reaches the consumers end it is reduced by a step
down transformer (Anguan Wu, 2016).
b) Electricity is converted into other forms when people use appliances in their homes.
i. Suggest different ways of reducing energy losses when using electrical
appliances.
Unplugging idle electronics (vampire power)
Picking the right light
Shutdown computers
Reducing plug load by using a power strip
Switch off the light
ii. Discuss how effective you think each suggestion is in minimising energy
losses.
Waves are caused by wind passing over the ocean and so can never be a limited source of
energy.
Biomass power plants record a low efficiency rate compared to the other types of
renewable sources of energy. This is because energy produced from biomass occurs naturally
through the process of photosynthesis. This places its electricity generation efficiency rate at
27% despite it having a high biomass energy of 75-80%.
Task 5
a) How can energy losses be reduced when transferring electricity through the National
Grid?
Losses are expected to occur whenever current passes through a wire. Reducing the losses
through a national grid would require the transmission of electricity to be at a low current.
Low current means high voltage therefore a transformer is used to raise the voltage of the
AC. Two types of transformers are used; A step down transformer is used to raise the
voltage for transmission and when it reaches the consumers end it is reduced by a step
down transformer (Anguan Wu, 2016).
b) Electricity is converted into other forms when people use appliances in their homes.
i. Suggest different ways of reducing energy losses when using electrical
appliances.
Unplugging idle electronics (vampire power)
Picking the right light
Shutdown computers
Reducing plug load by using a power strip
Switch off the light
ii. Discuss how effective you think each suggestion is in minimising energy
losses.
Energy & our Universe 6
Unplugging idle electronics helps prevent energy losses in the house. These
electronics usually use up standby power despite being off. This can be felt when a
charger that is plugged in becomes hot when it is not being used. Averagely the
amount of energy lost in idle electronics equals 12 power plant annual output in the
USA.
The right lighting saves energy by being efficient. For instance, the LEDs use
¾ of the energy used up by incandescent bulbs. They also last longer and contain no
mercury in them.
Using a power strip will help in switching off unused electric equipment.
These in turn prevents erroneous billing due to the ‘vampire power’.
Computers being a major energy drainer need to be shut down when not in use
instead of using a screensaver. Failure to do so can lead to energy losses in the house.
Switching off the lighting in the house saves energy. Instead of leaving the
bulbs on all night or during the day, switch them off and save the energy for the next
time you need it.
Unplugging idle electronics helps prevent energy losses in the house. These
electronics usually use up standby power despite being off. This can be felt when a
charger that is plugged in becomes hot when it is not being used. Averagely the
amount of energy lost in idle electronics equals 12 power plant annual output in the
USA.
The right lighting saves energy by being efficient. For instance, the LEDs use
¾ of the energy used up by incandescent bulbs. They also last longer and contain no
mercury in them.
Using a power strip will help in switching off unused electric equipment.
These in turn prevents erroneous billing due to the ‘vampire power’.
Computers being a major energy drainer need to be shut down when not in use
instead of using a screensaver. Failure to do so can lead to energy losses in the house.
Switching off the lighting in the house saves energy. Instead of leaving the
bulbs on all night or during the day, switch them off and save the energy for the next
time you need it.
Energy & our Universe 7
References
Anguan Wu, B. N. (2016). Line Loss Analysis and Calculation of Electric Power Systems.
Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
Bahman Zohuri, P. M. (2017). Combined Cycle Driven Efficiency for Next Generation
Nuclear Power Plants: An Innovative Design Approach. New York: Springer.
John A. Duffie, W. A. (2013). Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes. Hoboken: John
Wiley & Sons.
Pickering, M. (2016). How to Use a Multimeter. Morrisville: Lulu.com.
References
Anguan Wu, B. N. (2016). Line Loss Analysis and Calculation of Electric Power Systems.
Hoboken: John Wiley & Sons.
Bahman Zohuri, P. M. (2017). Combined Cycle Driven Efficiency for Next Generation
Nuclear Power Plants: An Innovative Design Approach. New York: Springer.
John A. Duffie, W. A. (2013). Solar Engineering of Thermal Processes. Hoboken: John
Wiley & Sons.
Pickering, M. (2016). How to Use a Multimeter. Morrisville: Lulu.com.
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