Modern power plants have an extensive electrical distribution system to provide reliable power to all of the support equipment in the power plant. The utility operating the power plant is in the business of generating electrical power twenty four hours a day, seven days a week. Since electrical power cannot be economically stored the plants must be online to produce power when the electrical demand is present. In this regard, the power plants must be highly reliable. Backup power sources within the plant must be ready to supply needed power within moments. This course will provide an overview of these systems and the relationships between the different systems.
Upon completion of this course one should be able to understand the role of the following equipment in a power plant distribution system: Main electrical generator, isolated phase bus duct, step-up transformer, station auxiliary transformer, non-segregated phase bus duct, station startup transformer, medium voltage switchgear, secondary unit substations, and motor control centers. Along with the role of each type of equipment, one should understand how the equipment is utilized to provide reliable power to the station.