See discussions, stats, and author profiles for this publication at: https://www.researchgate.

net/publication/337932487

Chapter 1 Introduction to Power Systems. PART I

Presentation · December 2019

DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.2.25522.56009

CITATION READS

1 625

1 author:

Francisco Gonzalez-Longatt
University of Exeter
449 PUBLICATIONS   3,604 CITATIONS   

SEE PROFILE

Some of the authors of this publication are also working on these related projects:

PhasorsCatcher View project

Power System Protection View project

All content following this page was uploaded by Francisco Gonzalez-Longatt on 14 December 2019.

The user has requested enhancement of the downloaded file.

 Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt
Systems
Dr F Gonzalez-Longatt
Introduction to Power

1/31

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
 Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt
its main elements.
Objective
This chapter presents a general introduction to power system and

2/31

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
 All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
Introduction to Power
Systems a brief history

Source: B. M. Weedy, B. J. Cory, N. Jenkins, Janaka B. Ekanayake, Goran Strbac. (2012). Power Systems. Wiley
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 3/31
 Introduction to Power Systems a brief history

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• In 1882 Edison inaugurated the first central generating
station in the USA.
• The Edison plant fed a load of 400 lamps, each of them
consuming the power of 83 W.

Pearl Street Power Station

Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 4/31
 Introduction to Power Systems a brief history

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• At about the same time
the Holborn Viaduct
Generating Station in
London was the first in
Britain to cater for
consumers generally, as
opposed to specialised
loads.
• This scheme used a 60-
kW generator driven by
a horizontal steam
engine; the voltage of
generation was 100V
direct current (DC).
The world's first public steam-driven
coal power station.
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 5/31
 Introduction to Power Systems a brief history

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• The first major alternating current (AC) station in Great
Britain (GB) was at Deptford, where power was generated
by machines of 10 000 h.p. and transmitted at 10 kV to
consumers in London (see Fig. 1.1).
Deptford Power Station built
1887. It was the first major
station to use the new-
fangled high voltage AC. It
was rebuilt a number of
times before it was
decommissioned in 1983
and demolished in 1992. See
more at
https://londonist.com/2012/0
3/the-history-of-londons-
power-stations

Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 6/31

 Introduction to Power Systems a brief history

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• During this period the battle between the advocates of AC
and DC, it was the War of Currents era (sometimes, War
of the Currents or Battle of Currents).

Alternate Current Direct Current

Nikola Tesla and Thomas Edison
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 7/31
 Introduction to Power Systems a brief history

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• George Westinghouse and Thomas Edison became
adversaries due to Edison's promotion of DC for electric
power distribution against AC advocated by several
European companies and Westinghouse Electric based in
Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, which had acquired many of the
patents by Nikola Tesla.

• Owing mainly to the invention of the transformer the

supporters of AC prevailed and steady development of
local electricity generating stations commenced with each
large town or load centre operating its own station.

Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 8/31

 Introduction to Power Systems a brief history

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• In 1926, in Britain, an Act of
Parliament set up the Central
Electricity Board (CEB) was
created with the object of
interconnecting the best of the 500
generating stations then in
operation with a high-voltage
network known as the Grid.
• The act tried to link the Britain
most efficient power stations with
consumers via a ‘national
gridiron’.
• The CEB established the Britain https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/File:Im1934BCI-CEB05.jpg

first synchronised AC grid, running

at 132 kilovolts (kV) and 50 Hertz
(Hz), which by 1933 was a
collection of local grids, with
emergency interlinks, covering
most of England.
https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/File:Im1934BCI-CEB09.jpg
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 9/31
 Introduction to Power Systems a brief history

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• Nationalisation of the electricity supply industry under
terms of the Electricity Act 1947 comes into effect in 1948.
• Nationalised 505 separate electricity generation and
supply organizations in GB on 1 April 1948, both
privately owned and state-owned, and consolidated them
into 14 area electricity boards of the new Central
Electricity Authority that the Act created (also known as the
British Electricity Authority), which subsequently became
the Central Electricity Generating Board.

https://www.gracesguide.co.uk/images/2/26/Im19490506ABN-BEA.jpg
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 10/31
 Introduction to Power Systems a brief history

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• Two organisations were set up:
• The Area Boards, which were
mainly concerned with
distribution and consumer
service; and
• The Generating Boards, which
were responsible for the
generation and the operation of
the high-voltage transmission
network or grid.
• The electricity supply industry
was in public ownership from
1948 to 1990. All of this
changed radically in 1990 when
the British Electricity Supply
Industry was privatized.
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 11/31
 Introduction to Power Systems a brief history

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• For the first 80 years of electricity supply, the growth of
the load was rapid at around 7% per year, implying a
doubling of electricity use every ten years and this type of
increase continues today in rapidly industrialising
countries.

• However, in the USA and other industrialised countries,

there has been a tendency, since the oil shock of 1973, for
the rate of increase to slow with economic growth no
longer coupled closely to the use of energy.

• In the UK, growth in electricity consumption has been

under 1% per year for a number of years.
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 12/31
 Introduction to Power Systems a brief history

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• A traditional objective of energy policy has been to provide
secure, reliable and affordable supplies of electrical
energy to customers.

• This is now supplemented by the requirement to limit

greenhouse gas emissions, particularly of CO2, and so
mitigate climate change.

• Hence there is increasing emphasis on the generation of

electricity from low-carbon sources that include
renewable, nuclear and fossil fuel plants fitted with carbon
capture and storage equipment.

Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 13/31

 Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt
and Structure
Power System Definition

14/31

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
 Power system definition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• An electric power system is a network of electrical
components used to supply, transmit and use electric power
(see Fig. 1.2).

Typical power system structure.

Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 15/31
 Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt
Power system definition

with special emphasis on

voltage level used in GB.
Structure of a power system

16/31

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
 Power system definition

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• Now a formal definition of the power system
1) (generating stations electric power system) The electric power
sources, conductors, and equipment required to supply electric
power. (PE/EDPG) IEEE 505-1977r .

2) (electric) The generation resources and/or transmission facilities

operated as an entity to meet load and/or interchange
commitments. (PE/PSE) 94-1991w

3) The generation resources and/or transmission facilities operated

under common management or supervision to meet load and
interchange commitments. (PE/PSE) 858-1993w [3]
• For more definitions, check: (2000). "IEEE 100 The
Authoritative Dictionary of IEEE Standards Terms Seventh
Edition." IEEE Std 100-2000 .
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 17/31
 Power system structure

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• There are four functions on the supply-side:
• Generation;
• Transmission;
• Distribution and
• Supply
• Moreover, one function on the demand-side:
• Consumption

Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 18/31

 Power system structure

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
Summary of main functions in the electrical power system in
the context of GB.
Function Method Examples (GB)
Generation Steam, gas, water or wind turbines nPower, E.On, British Energy,
driving alternators SELCHP, Barking Power
Transmission 275kV and 400kV overhead lines – National Grid (owner and
“the national grid.” operator),
Scottish Power (owner)
Distribution 132kV, 33kV, 11kV UK Power Networks, Scottish and
overhead lines and cables Southern
Supply Purchase of energy on the EDF Energy, E.On, British Gas
wholesale market, resell and bill
Consumption Motors, heaters, lighting & Industrial, commercial and
supplies for electronic equipment domestic consumers

Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 19/31

 Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt
Generation

20/31

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
 Generation

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• Electricity is produced by converting mechanical energy into
electrical energy (electromechanical conversion systems).
• In the majority of cases, the mechanical energy is either
obtained from thermal energy or provided by the flowing
water.
• The main sources of thermal energy sources are coal, natural
gas, nuclear fuel and oil.
• The use of non-fossil fuels such as wind, solar, tidal, and
geothermal and biogas in electricity generation is also
increasing.
• Hydro-power is the main non-thermal source of mechanical
energy used in electricity generation.
• The conversion of mechanical to electrical energy is done using
synchronous generators in the majority of power plants. Few
wind generation systems use induction generators.

Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 21/31

 Generation

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• The power is usually generated at low voltage, between 11
and 35 kV, and then fed into the transmission system using
a step-up transformer.
• Electricity in GB is usually generated in power stations at
about 22-25 kV.

Voltage levels and it uses

inside a power system.
Source:
https://www.parliament.uk/d
ocuments/post/pn163.pdf
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 22/31
 Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt
Transmission system

23/31

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
 Transmission system

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• The electricity is generated in bulk in the generating
stations and then transmitted over long distances to the
load or demand points.
• The transmission system interconnects all the generating
stations and major load centres in the system.
• The power loss in a transmission line is proportional to the
square of line current (Ploss = RTL|I|2), the transmission lines
operate at the highest voltage levels, usually 275 kV and
upwards.
• Usually, the transmission network has a meshed structure
in order to provide many alternate routes for the power to
flow from the generators to the load points.
• This improves the reliability of the system.
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 24/31
 Transmission system

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• High voltage (HV) transmission lines are terminated at
substations .
• Typically, the sub-transmission voltage levels are from 66
kV to 132 kV. Some large industrial consumers may be
served directly from the sub-transmission system.

A demonstrative example of the transmission system, using GB voltages. National Grid

transmits electricity at high voltage throughout England and Wales on a system made up of
7,000 kilometres of overhead lines, 600 kilometres of underground cables and some 300
substations
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 25/31
 Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt
Distribution Systems

26/31

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
 Distribution system

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• The distribution represents the final stage of power transfer
to the individual consumer (see Fig. 1.6).
• The distribution network is generally connected in a radial
structure.
• The primary distribution voltage is typically between
11kV and 33kV.
• Small industrial customers are supplied by primary feeders
at this voltage level.
• The secondary distribution feeders supply residential and
commercial at 415/240 V.
• Small generating plants located near the load centres are
usually connected to sub-transmission or distribution
system directly.
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 27/31
 Distribution system

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• A power system operates in a normal state if the following
conditions are satisfied:
• The bus voltages are within the prescribed limits.
• The system frequency is within the specified limits.
• The active and reactive power balance exists in the system.

Typical distribution system structure showing the GB voltage levels. Distribution Network
companies distribute the energy in their licence areas throughout England and Wales
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 28/31
 Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt
Characteristics

and Transmission
Influencing Generation

29/31

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
 Characteristics Influencing Generation and Transmission

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org
• Electricity, unlike gas and water, cannot be stored and
the system operator traditionally has had limited
control over the load.
• The power balance between generation and demand must
be carefully enforced.
• However, this aspect has been changing the recent time
with more and more penetration of energy storage devices
in the power network.
• The electricity sector creates major environmental
impacts that increasingly determine how a plant is
installed and operated.
• The generating stations are often located away from the
load resulting in transmission over considerable
distances.
Dr. Francisco M. Gonzalez-Longatt 30/31
 Dr. FranciscoViewM.
publication stats
Gonzalez-Longatt
Systems

Dr F Gonzalez-Longatt
Questions and answers
Introduction to Power

31/31

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or distributed in any form without permission of the author. Copyright © 2008-2019. http:www.fglongatt.org