Understanding the Structure of Electricity Supply

The electrification is considered as the greatest engineering achievement of the 20th century. However, the beginning of the 21st century  has seen major changes in the ESI introduced by restructuring which has resulted in breaking up of  vertically integrated utilities(VIU). Competition has been introduced in power generation and power trading is encouraged.The technical problems facing system operation and control are expected to be solved by information and communication technology using smart grid solutions. However, innovative approaches are required to tackle the operational problems and continue to provide electrical energy reliably and at affordable costs. This requires a good understanding of the physical structure of electricity supply system and the knowledge of state of the art in the system operation and control. This book is designed to help non-electrical engineers to understand the overall picture and the relevant issues that need to be tackled.The book contains 9 chapters and 5 appendices. The reasons for power interruptions and blackouts are discussed in chapter 1. The electrical machinery (generators, motors and transformers), transmission and distribution are described in chapters 3 and 4. The basics of electrical circuits (that are used to model the various system components) are covered in chapter 2. The power system operation under normal conditions is discussed in chapter 5. The system protection and collapse, technological solutions and smart grid are described in chapters 6 and 7. The renewable power and energy storage systems are presented in chapter 8. Chapter 9 deals with restructuring and competition in ESI and suggests a roadmap for the future. The appendices cover the use of units, electric shocks and safety and nuclear energy. Contents 1. Why Do Lights Go Out ?, 2. Basics of Electrical Circuits, 3. Generators, Motors and Transformers, 4. Transmission and Distribution of Power, 5. Power system operation and Basic controls, 6. System Protection and Collapse, 7. Technological solutions and Smart grid, 8. Renewable Power and Energy Storage, 9. Restructuring and Competition About the Author   Dr. K.R. Padiyar was associated with Indian Institute of Science, Bangalore since 1987 as a Professor and subsequently as an Honorary Professor in the department of Electrical Engineering from 2003 to 2013. Previously he was with Indian Institute of Technology, Kanpur from 1976 to 1987 where he became a Professor in 1980. He obtained B.E. degree from Poona University in 1962, M.E. degree form Indian Institute of Science in 1964 and PhD degree from University of Waterloo, Canada in 1972.   Prof. Padiyar is an internationally recognized expert in the areas of HVDC and FACTS, Power System dynamics and Control . He has authored over 200 papers and six books. He is a Fellow of Indian National Academy of Engineering (INAE), Institution of Electronics and Telecommunications (IETE) and Life Senior Member of IEEE. He was awarded the Dept. of Power Prize twice by Institution of Engineers (India). He is the recipient of 1999 Prof. Rustom Choksi Award for Excellence in Research for Science/Engineering. He was ABB Chair Professor during 2001-03. He was a Member of the Project Review Committee of the National HVDC Project. He received the life time achievement awards by the Organizing Committee of National Power Systems Conference and System Society of India in December 2008 and 2010 respectively.