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Exercise and Questions

The document discusses load factor and its importance in determining the cost of energy generation. It provides two key advantages of high load factor: 1) It reduces the cost per unit generated by increasing the total units generated for a given maximum demand. 2) It reduces variable load problems by decreasing fluctuations in demand over time. The document also includes three examples calculating the cost per unit of energy generated from power plants using different data on capacity, load factor, fuel costs, capital costs, etc.

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Misango Emmanuel
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32 views

Exercise and Questions

The document discusses load factor and its importance in determining the cost of energy generation. It provides two key advantages of high load factor: 1) It reduces the cost per unit generated by increasing the total units generated for a given maximum demand. 2) It reduces variable load problems by decreasing fluctuations in demand over time. The document also includes three examples calculating the cost per unit of energy generated from power plants using different data on capacity, load factor, fuel costs, capital costs, etc.

Uploaded by

Misango Emmanuel
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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Load Factor

The load factor of any power plant plays a vital role in determining the cost of energy. Some
important advantages of high load factor are listed below:
i. Reduces cost per unit generated: A high load factor reduces the overall cost per unit
generated. The higher the load factor, the lower is the generation cost. It is because higher
load factor means that for a given maximum demand, the number of units generated is more.
This reduces the cost of generation.
ii. Reduces variable load problems: A high load factor reduces the variable load problems on the
power station. A higher load factor means comparatively less variations in the load demands
at various times. This avoids the frequent use of regulating devices installed to meet the
variable load on the station.

Example 1.

A thermal generating station has a maximum demand of 50 MW. Calculate the cost per unit
energy generated from the following data: Capital cost = 95,500M/=; Annual load factor =
40%; Annual cost of fuel and oil = 9,600M/=; Taxes, wages and salaries etc. = 280M/=; and
Interest and depreciation = 12%

Solution
Units generated/annum = Maximum demand x Load factor (LF) × Hours in a year
= (50,000kW) × (0·4) × (8760 hours) = 17·52 × 107 kWh

Annual fixed charges


Annual interest and depreciation = 12% of capital cost
= 12% × 95,500M/= = 11,460M/=

Annual Running Charges


Total annual running charges = Annual cost of fuel and oil + Taxes, wages etc.
= (9,600M/= + 280M/=) = 9,880M/=
Total annual charges = (11,460M/= + 9,880M/=) = 21,340M/=
∴ Cost per unit = (21,340M/=) / (175.2 million kWh) = 122/= per kWh.

Example 2.

A diesel fueled generating thermal station has an installed capacity of 50,000 kW and delivers
250 × 106 units per annum. If the annual fixed charges are 480/= per kW installed capacity and
running charges are 180/= per kWh, determine the cost per unit generated.

Solution
Annual fixed charges = 480/= × Plant capacity
= 480/= × 50,000 = 24,000,000/=
Annual running charges = 180/= × 250 × 106 = 45,000,000,000/=
Total annual charges = (24,00,000/= + 45,000,000,000/=) = 45,024,000,000/=
Cost per unit = (45,024,000,000/=) / (250 × 106 kWh) = Shs.180 per kWh
Example 3.
A generating station has the following data: Installed capacity = 300 MW; Capacity factor =
50%; Annual load factor = 60%; Annual cost of fuel, oil etc. =900B/=; capital cost = 8,600B/=;
annual interest and depreciation = 10%. Calculate (i) the minimum reserve capacity of the
station and (ii) the cost per kWh
generated.

(ii) the Units generated per annum = (Maximum demand) x (load factor) x (hours in a year)
= 250,000kW x 0.6 x 8760 hrs/year = 1,314,000,000 kWh
Annual fixed charges = Annual interest and depreciation
= 0.1 x 8,600B/= = 860B/=
Annual running charges = 900B/=
Therefore, total annual charges = (860B/= + 900B/=) = 1,760B/=
Therefore, cost per kWh = (1,760B/=)/ (1,314,000,000 kWh) = = SHS.1,339 per kWh

Question 1

1.1 Discuss the similarities and differences between Coal fuelled thermal power plant and
diesel engine power plant.
1.2 A Coal fuelled thermal power plant rated 250 MW is to be installed at a site in an African
country. The plant supplies power to an electric load operated at an average annual load
factor 48% and plant capacity factor 40%. The efficiency of the burner – boiler section of
the plant is 70%. The inlet and outlet temperatures of the steam turbine are maintained at
1820C and 4850C respectively. The steam turbine is operated at 88% of its Carnot efficient.
The generator used is operated at efficiency of 96%. Assume the calorific value of coal is
5380 kcal/kg (1 kcal = 4.184x10-3 MJ)

a. Explain the energy conversion stages of a coal fuelled power plant


b. Determine the annual peak demand and average demand of the load under the given
operating conditions
c. Calculate the annual energy supplied to the load
d. Determine the amount of coal (in tonnes) used annually to meet annual load energy
demand
e. If the price of coal is 50 USD per tonne, estimate the annual cost of fuel at the plant.
Question 2

2.1 Discuss the energy conversion stages in a diesel fuelled thermal power plant (internal
combustion engine).
2.2 A diesel generator set is rated 160 kW has the following fuel consumption and efficiency
characteristic curves shown in the figure below.

The generator is used to supply power to a load daily as follows:

Hours per day 3 1.5 1 1.5 1 1 0.5 0.5


Power, kW 20 40 60 80 100 120 140 150

a. Calculate the electric energy generated or supplied to the load daily


b. Calculate the average calorific value of fuel used

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