Power plants in filmstrip photos

The source of electrical energy in the stations are machine generators. They convert mechanical energy into electrical energy. Station generators produce alternating current. The principle of operation of the alternator is based on the law of electromagnetic induction.


Stationary generators are usually powered by steam or hydraulic turbines. In a steam turbine, a jet of steam hitting the rotor blades causes it to spin. The internal energy of the steam is converted into mechanical energy. In a hydraulic turbine, water jets exert pressure on the rotor blades. The energy of the moving water is converted into the mechanical energy of the rotation of the rotor.




Depending on the type of main engines, power plants are divided into thermal, hydraulic and wind. Thermal power plants condense and heat. Condensed power plants only produce electricity. They are built in places where cheap fuels are concentrated, when it is unprofitable to transport them.Cogeneration plants are located in industrial centers. They provide users with steam and hot water.






Hydroelectric plants are divided into dam and diversion. Dam stations are being built on high water rivers. The engineering of these stations is located next to the dam. In mountainous areas, diverting hydroelectric plants are built on relatively low-water rivers using high water pressure. Hydroelectric stations can also harness the energy of the tides. Tidal power plants use capsule units.




Power plants usually operate continuously, while energy consumption depends on the time of day. Therefore, it needs to be accumulated in large quantities and distributed over time. For example, in hydroelectric plants, at night, when less electrical energy is required, water is pumped from the lower reservoir to the upper one, during the day, the potential energy of the water is again converted into electrical energy and fed to the grid. To ensure the reliability of the power supply and equalize the load of the stations, they are interconnected by high-voltage lines in a single power system.