Electricity Generation, Transmission and Distribution Process

Electricity generation begins at power plants, where energy is converted from various
sources into electrical energy. The primary sources are: Thermal, Nuclear, Hydro-
electric and Renewable power plants. The generated power is between 13.8 - 25 kV

Once electricity is generated at a power plant, it is at a relatively low voltage levels.

To efficiently transmit it over long distances, the voltage is increased using step up
transformer. This reduces the current and minimizes power losses as the electricity
travels through transmission lines. The voltage stepped up to 110 - 380 kV

As electricity nears its final destination, it passes through substations, where the
voltage is decreased by step-down transformers to 33kV, 13.8kV and 4.16kV. This
makes it safer and more suitable for distribution within residential and commercial
areas

The lower-voltage electricity is then distributed to homes, businesses, and

industries via a network of distribution lines. These lines may be overhead on poles
or underground. Near your home, another step-down transformer further reduces
the voltage to the level required for household use (typically 230/400 volts ).
Electric Power
Electric power is the rate at which electrical energy is transferred by an electric circuit.
It is the energy consumed or generated per unit time. The unit of power is the watt (w),
which is equal to one joule per second.

In simpler terms, electric power is a measure of how quickly electrical energy is used
or produced by a device or system.

Active Power (P): P = V I cos (Á) W

Also known as real power or true power, active power is the portion of electric power
that is used to do actual work, such as turning on a light bulb or running a motor.
It is the power consumed by electrical devices to produce useful work.

Reactive Power (Q): Q = V I sin (Á) VAR

Reactive power is the power that oscillates between the source and the reactive
components (like inductors and capacitors) in the system. It doesn't do any
actual work but is essential to maintain the voltage levels in the system..

p
Apparent Power (S): S =VI S = P 2 + Q2 VA
Apparent power is the total power in the circuit, combining both active and reactive
power. It represents the total energy supplied by the source.
Power Factor
Power factor (PF) is a measure of how effectively electrical power is being used by a
system. It is defined as the ratio of active power (P), which is the power doing useful
work, to the apparent power (S), which is the total power supplied by the source.

Types of Power Factor: P

PF = = cos (Á)
S
1- Unity Power Factor (PF = 1),(ϕ=0):
Current and voltage are perfectly in phase, meaning all the power supplied is being

a
used effectively. This is the ideal condition, where Apparent equals Active Power

2- Lagging Power Factor (PF < 1),(ϕ is positive):

Occurs when the current waveform lags behind the voltage waveform, typically due to
inductive loads like motors, transformers, and inductors. A common scenario in
industrial environments (heavy machinery).

3- Leading Power Factor (PF < 1),(ϕ is negative):

Occurs when the current waveform leads the voltage waveform, typically due to
capacitive loads like capacitive bank and , synchronous condensers,

A higher power factor indicates more efficient utilization of electrical power. With a
low power factor, more apparent power is drawn to deliver the same amount of active
power, leading to inefficiencies.

Low power factor causes increased losses in the electrical distribution system, as more
current flows through the system, leading to higher I²R losses.

Utilities often charge higher rates to customers with low power factors because they
have to supply more apparent power for the same active power.
Transformer
Electric device that transfer electric power from AC circuit to another AC circuit or
more, changing the voltage or current level while keeping the same power.
It consists of two inductive coils “primary and secondary winding” and core.

Transformer working principle: When the primary winding connected to AC source,

an alternating flux is induced around the winding, the core provide magnetic path
for the flux to get linked with the secondary winding.

when this happen an electromotive force EMF induced in the secondary winding
according to Faraday's law therefore, mutual induced current will flow through
secondary winding and hence, electric power transferred.

Usedintransmissionand distribution network

Power transformer Current transformer

Transformer Instrumentation transformer Potential transformer

usedin protection
 Transformer losses

Copper losses
Did Core losses Stray losses
so
Dielectric losses

Do
Hysteresis losses Eddy current losses Happened outside the core
and winding parts such
Due to ohmic resistance Due to the Induced currents as tank walls or core clamps
of the copper wire circulating within the core due to leakage flux

Due to repeated magnetization occurs in the

and demagnetization of the iron core insulation medium

Transformer protection

v v v v v
Ground fault Differential Buchholz Overcurrent Overvoltage Pressure relief
protection protection Relay protection Protection device

compare the current Detect excessive current flow Relieve excess

entering and leaving the and disconnect the pressure within

transformer, any difference transformer preventing transformer tank

Indicate an internal fault overload and short circuit caused by internal

faults
v v
Detect earth fault and help Installed in oil immersed Surge and lightning

in limiting fault current transformer to detect gas arresters protect from voltage

through neutral grounding accumulation and oil flow, spikes caused by lightning
detecting internal fault such and switching surges
arcing or insulation failure
Protection
Protective Relays: Detect abnormal condition such overcurrent, overvoltage and short
circuit. When fault detected relays send signals to circuit breakers to isolate the
affected section

Circuit Breakers: Electrical switch that Automatically interrupt the flow of current
in the event of faults. Circuit breaker open to disconnect the faulty section when they
receive signals from the relays. Types: Air, Vacuum, SF6 and Oil Circuit breaker.
i 2 3 4

Fuses: Safety device used to protect from overcurrent, consist of metal wire or strip
that melt when too much current flow through it hence, interrupting the flow and
protect the rest of the circuit.

Instrumentation Transformers: Current and Potential transformers that step down

the high voltage and current to safety levels for relay and providing accurate
measurements of voltage and current to relays and metric equipment.