Power Engineering is the branch of electrical engineering that deals with the generation, transmission, distribution, and utilization of electrical power and energy. This also includes the devices such as transformers, generators, and electric motors, and all other devices connected with the system.
Before discussing our important topic “Power Engineering”, We define electrical engineering. Electrical engineering is the branch of engineering that deals with the study & applications of electricity, charge carriers i.e. electronics, and electromagnetism. The different branches of electrical engineering are Power engineering, Control engineering, Electronic engineering, Microelectronics, Signal Processing, Telecommunications, Instrumentation, and Computer engineering.
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Importance of power engineering
The daily life operation of the modern world is impossible without electrical power. The job of Power engineers is to operate a variety of power devices.
Electrical power engineers are in charge of very critical and important system which should be reliable and contentious (power system).
Similarly, the process of power conversion from one type to another type comes in the job description of electrical power engineers.
As we discussed above that the power engineering consists of three main components. The components include Generation, Transmission, and distribution. We will discuss it in detail.
Electrical power Generation
This branch of power engineering is related to the generation or production of electrical power. The production or generation of electrical power is carried out in power plants.
Power engineer responsibility in power plants
Power plants are a complete combination between electrical, mechanical and instrumentation engineering. Electrical engineers has a major rule and responsibilities including and not limited to the following.
- Design power plants and its control and protection system, Such as overcurrent, over & under voltage, over and under frequency protection and all other protection circuits and systems that are necessary to keep the power plant working in a good condition.
- Making pre-operation electrical inspection to make sure all protection devices and control circuits are working properly.
- Operate the plant as required. The operation process includes watching meters of various readings (voltage, current and frequency) to be sure all the time that every thing is OK.
- Performing electrical maintenance periodically as scheduled. And make sure that all maintenance programs are suitable for the power plant.
Different sources to generate power.
- We can generate electrical power by using electro-mechanical generators, heat engines fueled by combustion or flowing water and wind.
- Other sources of energy production include solar panels and other renewable energy sources. During the process of power generation, mechanical energy is converted to electrical energy.
- The different sources to convert mechanical energy to electrical energy are water turbines, gas turbines, steam turbines, wind turbines, and internal combustion engines, etc.
Transmission of electrical energy
The power transmission process is done using transformers and overhead power lines. The transmission system in all its stages needs electrical engineers to design, inspect and perform preventive maintenance programs to ensure system reliability and power continuity.
Power transmission process
Once we generate power. The next process is the transmission of it through overhead power line (OHTL). The transmission of power is the process of movement of electrical power from the generators site to the electrical substation for consumer uses.
The transmission is of two types Primary Transmission and Secondary Transmission. To transmit electrical energy at longer distances the voltage level is stepped up using step up transformers. This process is called Primary transmission.
When the energy reaches a substation. The next step is to make it available for consumer use, for this purpose the voltage level is stepped down using step down transformers. This process is called secondary transmission.
Distribution
The third component of Power Engineering is distribution. When the electrical energy reaches the substation. The last stage is to distribute the electric power for consumer uses. For this purpose, the distribution transformer is used.
Distribution transformer is step down transformers used to feed residential consumers with the 110 or 220 V single phase. It is located in cities and near neighborhoods to feed a group of houses.
Electrical engineers are involved in design, installation and monitoring these transformers performance and loads suitability. Also as every part of electrical power engineering system, electrical maintenance is important to keep it working and to prevent any unplanned outage of the power.
Electrical Power engineering system maintenance
The common thing between all power systems engineering sections is that all of them should have proper preventive maintenance. A good engineer should be able to keep an eye on the maintenance program implementation. Here below some important points to take into account when preparing maintenance program.
- For power generation maintenance you should follow the instructions and the recommendations of the manufacturer. All you need should be listed in the maintenance recommendation. This is because as mentioned above the power plants have a combination of electrical, mechanical and instrumentation devices. Also every power plant has its own requirements of periodic inspection and maintenance.
- For transformers plants which are used just after power generation and just before power distribution, These need a good inspection in regular basis to ensure the following points:
- Oil level (in oil immersed transformers): make sure that the oil is not lower than the minimum accepted level in the conservator tank.
- Silica gel color: In the oil immersed transformers a breather system is used because the oil expands due to load variation and transformer temperature. In this breathing in and out process air enters the tank from the out side atmosphere. Silica gel is used to ensure only dry air enters the tank. “moisture decreases transformer oil break down voltage”. When silica gel change its color then it need to be replaced. Keep an eye on its color periodically.
- Check transformer body for any leakage. Transformers oil leakage is a repeated issue. Repair any reason of leakage as required.” The most common reason of oil leakage in transformers is bolts and joints”.
- All transformer cooling fans and pumps should be checked periodically.
- Overhead power line maintenance. When it comes to power this part of electrical engineering the visual inspection is the king. Inspecting insulators, towers and power wires is almost visual inspection for any corrosion in tower bodies, Break of insulators and cut in wires. Thermal imaging could be used to determine any hot spots in connections.
How long does it take to become a power engineer?
As mentioned above power engineering is a branch of electrical engineering. So power engineers are electrical engineers. Which needs 5 years of study in the faculty.
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