Power plant engineering

Power plant engineering got its start in the 1800s when small systems were used by individual factories to provide electrical power. Originally the only source of power came from DC, or direct current, systems. While this was suitable for business, electricity was not accessible for most of the public body. During these times, the coal-powered steam engine was costly to run and there was no way for the power to be transmitted over distances. Hydroelectricity was one of the most utilized forms of power generation as water mills could be used to create power to transmit to small towns. The Lauffen-Frankfurt demonstrated how three-phase power could be effectively applied to transmit power over long distances. Three-phase power had been the progeny of years of research in power distribution and the Lauffen-Frankfurt was the first exhibition to show its future potential. The engineering knowledge needed to perform these tasks enlists the help of several fields of engineering including mechanical, electrical, nuclear and civil engineers. When power plants were up and coming, engineering tasks needed to create these facilities mainly consisted of mechanical, civil, and electrical engineers. == Governing principles ==

First Law of Thermodynamics In simple terms, the first law of thermodynamics states that energy cannot be created nor destroyed; however, power can be converted from one form of energy to another form of energy. This is especially important in power generation because power production in nearly all types of power plants relies upon the use of a generator. Second law of thermodynamics The second law of thermodynamics conceptualizes that the entropy of a closed system can never decrease. As the law relates to power plants, it dictates that heat is to flow from a body at high temperature to a body at low temperature (the device in which electricity is being generated). This law is particularly pertinent to thermal power plants which derive their energy from the combustion of a fuel source. == Types of power plants ==

All power plants are created with the same goal: to produce electric power as efficiently as possible. However, as technology has evolved, the sources of energy used in power plants has evolved as well. Impoundment and diversion hydroelectric power plants operate similarly in that each involves creating a barrier to keep water from flowing at an uncontrollable rate, and then controlling the flow rate of water to pass through turbines to create electricity at an ideal level. Hydraulic civil engineers are in charge of calculating flow rates and other volumetric calculations necessary to turn the generators to the electrical engineers specifications. Pumped storage hydroelectric power plants operate in a similar manner but only function at peak hours of power demand. At calm hours the water is pumped uphill, then is released at peak hours to flow from a high to low elevation to turn turbines. The engineering knowledge required to assess the performance of pumped-storage hydroelectric power plants is very similar to that of the impoundment and diversion power plants. Thermal power plants Thermal power plants are split into two different categories; those that create electricity by burning fuel and those that create electricity via prime mover. A common example of a thermal power plant that produces electricity by the consumption of fuel is the nuclear power plant. Nuclear power plants use a nuclear reactor's heat to turn water into steam. Another example of a fuel burning power plant is coal power plant. Coal power plants generate 50% of the United States' electricity supply. Nuclear engineers generally handle fuel efficiency and disposal of nuclear waste; however, in Nuclear Power Plants they work directly with nuclear equipment. Electrical Engineers deals with the power generating equipment as well as the calculations. Solar power plants Solar power plants derive their energy from sunlight, which is made accessible via photovoltaics (PV's). Photovoltaic panels, or solar panels, are constructed using photovoltaic cells which are made of silica materials that release electrons when they are warmed by the thermal energy of the sun. The new flow of electrons generates electricity within the cell. While PV's are an efficient method of producing electricity, they do burn out after a decade and thus, must be replaced; however, their efficiency, cost of operation, and lack of noise/physical pollutants make them one of the cleanest and least expensive forms of energy. Then the generated power is fed back into the power grid. Wind power plants can be implemented on large, open expanses of land or on large bodies of water such as the oceans; they rely on being in areas that experience significant amounts of wind. Electrical engineers ensure that power generation and transmission is possible. == Education ==

Power plant engineering covers a broad spectrum of engineering disciplines. The field can solicit information from mechanical, chemical, electrical, nuclear, and civil engineers. Mechanical Mechanical engineers work to maintain and control machinery that is used to power the plant. Civil Civil engineers focuses on the power plant's construction, expenses, and building. Civil Engineers require passing the Professional Engineering Exam (PE), Fundamental Engineering Exam (FE), and a degree from an Accreditation Board of Engineering and Technology, Inc. (ABET) approved school. There are also many associations which qualified engineers can join, including the American Society of Mechanical Engineers (ASME), the Institute of Electric and Electronic Engineers (IEEE), and the American Society of Power Engineers (ASOPE). == Fields ==

Power plant operation and maintenance consists of optimizing the efficiency and power output of power plants and ensuring long term operation. These power plants are large scale, and used to supply power for communities and industry. Individual household electric power generators are not included. Power station design consists of the design of new power plant systems. There are many types of power plants, and each type requires specific expertise, as well as interdisciplinary teamwork, to build a modern system. == See also ==