Showing papers on "Base load power plant published in 1978"

Impact of Voltage Reduction on Energy and Demand

Abstract: This paper reports the results of an experimental investigation concerning the impact of voltage reduction on the energy use and demand level as it relates to load composition, specifically that of the American Electric Power System.

Economics of Nuclear Power

Abstract: With 12 percent of U.S. electricity now being supplied by nuclear power, Commonwealth Edison has found nuclear plants to be good investments relative to other base load energy sources. The country9s largest user of nuclear power, Commonwealth Edison, estimates that its commitment to nuclear saved its customers about 10 percent on their electric bills in 1977, compared to the cost with the next best alternative, coal. This advantage is seen as continuing, contrary to criticisms of the economics and reliability of nuclear power and claims that it has hidden subsidies. It is concluded that there is a need for both nuclear and coal and that government policy precluding or restricting either would be unwise.

Wind power and electric utilities: a review of the problems and prospects. [USA]

Abstract: The use of windpower poses a variety of problems for utilities primarily due to the uncontrollability of the power source and the high degree of variability of the wind. Differences in the dynamic behavior of the wind and of utility load patterns and the problems that arise from these differences are described. Utility capacity expansion methods and modifications to them to incorporate the characteristics of wind machines into the analytic procedure are outlined and results from initial studies employing these modifications are reviewed. These results indicate that, in general, storage devices are too expensive to be purchased by utilities if they serve mainly to balance the output of the wind machines; wind machines tend to supplant purchases of conventional baseload capacity but require additional peaking units; and the economic value of wind machines to utilities is composed of savings in both fuel and capacity related expenditures for conventional equipment.

SECURE nuclear district heating plant

Abstract: The role foreseen for the SECURE (Safe Environmentally Clean Urban REactor) nuclear district heating plant is to provide the baseload heating needs of primarily the larger and medium size urban centers that are outside the range of waste heat supply from conventional nuclear power stations. The rationale of the SECURE concept is that the simplicity in design and the inherent safety advantages due to the use of low temperatures and pressures should make such reactors economically feasible in much smaller unit sizes than nuclear power reactors and should make their urban location possible. It is felt that the present design should be safe enough to make urban underground location possible without restriction according to any criteria based on actual risk evaluation. From the environmental point of view, this is a municipal heat supply plant with negligible pollution. Waste heat is negligible, gaseous radioactivity release is negligible, and there is no liquid radwaste release. Economic comparisons show that the SECURE plant is competitive with current fossil-fueled alternatives. Expected future increase in energy raw material prices will lead to additional energy cost advantages to the SECURE plant.

Optimal Long Range hydro Scheduling in the Integrated Power System

Abstract: The integrated power system which includes fossil fired, nuclear and hydro units has need for a planning model suitable for minimizing system energy costs over a specific time period in the long range time frame. This paper presents such a model. Predicted partial and total forced outages, scheduled down time for various unit maintenance activities, cost of operation for various valve loadings and stochastic river flow data are inputs to a program which yields hydro energy scheduling for most economic loading over the time frame.

Apparatus for generating electrical power

Abstract: A continuous water flow from selected ones of a plurality of reservoirs passes through turbines or the like within an hydroelectric power station to produce electrical power. The reservoirs are cyclically filled and evacuated through the power station by operation of a plurality of gates interconnecting reservoirs having different water height levels and an adjacent source of tidal waters. By programmed operation of the gates a continuous water pressure head can be maintained at the power station to assure continuous electrical power generation.

Advanced Photovoltaic Synchronous-Orbit Spacecraft Power Systems

Abstract: The state-of-the-art of photovoltaic power systems, for use in synchronous-orbit spacecraft, is characterized, including solar array, battery, and power control component performance. Advanced developments in each of these areas are reviewed, and performance improvement projections are made for the 1980-1990 time period. It is estimated that photovoltaic power system specific weight could improve from a present value of 126 kg/kW to approximately 43 kg/kW in 1985. These performance predictions are compared to nuclear system performance projections over the same period. The analysis indicates that advanced photovoltaic power systems will exhibit specific weights lower than isotope and nuclear reactor systems for power levels up to approximately 25 kW. At higher power levels, batteries with higher energy density would be required to compete with the projected performance of advanced nuclear systems. N this paper, we review state-of-the-art performance characteristics of synchronous-orbit power system components, discuss technology advancements, extrapolate overall system performance into the 1980-1990 time period, and finally, make alternative power system comparisons. Power subsystem performance improvement areas include solar array power density, battery energy density, and power control electronics power density. These components typically comprise 15-20% of total spacecraft weight. Increased spacecraft payload weight allocation and total system capability improvement will result from power system weight reduction.

Coal and nuclear: a comparison of the cost of generating baseload electricity by region

Abstract: This study compares the economics of a 2400-MWe nuclear (two 1200-MWe) and coal (three 800-MWe) electric generating stations in 10 regions of the U.S. The analysis was made on a regional basis to reflect differences in various parts of the country. The regional cost estimates do not take into account site-specific requirements. Thus, the study is less-detailed than studies made by utilities analyzing specific projects. The study results indicate that nuclear generating units are more economical than coal in most regions of the country. In those regions where coal resources are located, coal plants may be more economical, or the difference is marginal. It should be noted that the difference between coal- and nuclear-generating costs (for initial year of operation) in all regions is less than about 20%, and site-specific conditions could alter the economic choice in all regions. Furthermore, other conditions such as diversity of fuel resources, licensing considerations, environmental impacts, etc., may have a greater impact on selection of the preferred power plant than economics; excluding taxes favors the nuclear option. (MCW)

Water consumption and costs for various steam electric power plant cooling systems. Final report, October 1977--January 1978

Abstract: The report gives results of a state-of-the-art study, addressing consumptive water use and related costs of various steam electric power plant cooling systems, the availability of water for all uses by area, and the impact of legal constraints on water use in the U.S.

Investigations concerning nuclear energy in the combined production of electricity and heat in the Helsinki metropolitan area

Abstract: The possibility of producing the base load of both electricity and district heat for the Helsinki Metropolitan Area (HMA) utilizing nuclear energy has been investigated since 1968. At every stage of the study, it has been concluded that district heating utilizing nuclear power in combined electricity and heat productions is the most economical way of heating the main part of the HMA. The studies have dealt with the economy of energy production and heat transmission as well as nuclear safety. According to the latest results, the optimum of the heat output of a 1000-MW(electric) unit is approximately 800 MW if the plant is situated 50 km away from the heat load center. For further studies and realization of the plans, the cities of the HMA and the state-owned power company, the Imatra Power Company, have formed a common company for the nuclear power plant project.

Ten Years’ Engineering Development in Gas Turbine Driven Natural Gas Compressor Stations

Abstract: The first generation gas compressor stations for N.V. Nederlandse Gasunie was designed in 1967 and equipped with aircraft derivative gasturbines of 11 MW driving single wheel centrifugal compressors. In later stations, similar machines and also industrial type gas turbines of 11 and 26 MW have been installed. With the system now including eight stations. a considerable experience was gained. Special described items are: (a) air filtration (b) noise abatement, (c) vibration due to pipe resonance, and (d) also the operational experience with aircraft derivative gas turbines compared with industrial type machines is described. During 1974, due to the increase in the energy prices, more emphasis was placed on energy savings. Studies revealed that for our case, the new generation high efficiency gas turbines showed more advantage than equipping existing machines with available recuperators or waste heat boilers and steam turbines. Replacement of some base load machines began in 1975. Later, a new recuperator was designed together with a well-known boiler firm, the first of which will come in operation by the end of 1978 to improve the efficiency of a 26-MW machine. Medio 1978 a total of 35 units with 502.2-MW output will have been installed, of which five are equipped with high efficiency drivers.Copyright © 1978 by ASME

Assessment of fuels for power generation by electric utility fuel cells. Final report

Abstract: The relative cost of fuel supply options for the production and distribution of fuels suitable for fuel cells was assessed, including the supply alternatives of hydrogen, synthesis gas (hydrogen/carbon monoxide), SNG, methanol, and naphtha, and raw energy sources for conversion to product fuels--petroleum, natural gas, coal and municipal solid waste Comparative economics of fuel cell power systems from raw or primary fuel to electricity were developed based on forecasted energy prices for 1978-1990 Alternative systems costs were developed for both dispersed and base load fuel cell systems in Hartford, Dallas, Columbus, and Los Angeles Where appropriate, integration of on-site fuel conversion with the fuel cell power section was considered to utilize waste heat and water from the stack For base load concepts, integration of coal gasifiers with fuel cell plants was investigated In most cases second generation fuel cell heat rates and capital costs were assumed Capitol and operating costs for subsystems were prepared to establish module costs combined to obtain total system costs (GRA)

The Loy Yang 4000 MW Brown Coal Power Development

Abstract: The paper covers the need for a major base load brown coal power project in the 1980' s and discusses the planning and some economic, technical and environmental aspects including public participation.