Unlike more technical texts stuffed with formulae and theories, Electric Power Generation: A Nontechnical Guide explains in plain English how power is created and replaces formulae with everyday examples and easy-to-understand illustrations.

It opens with an explanation of how electricity is generated, then covers the planning and development of electric power stations, emphasizing modern considerations of merchant power plants, repowering, and the growth of gas turbine generation.

The "facts" of generation are covered in part two—boilers, turbines, generators, hydro and pumped storage, and "alternative" generations sources, suchs geothermal, tidal, solar, and wind.

Maintenance and operations are covered in basic overview format. Finally, environmental considerations—again, an increasing concern in light of deregulation and environmental law—are reviewed.

In addition, the authors cover specific features and fuel-types in nontechnical terms. Industry newcomers will appreciate this clear explanation of how power is created.

Features:

• Nontechnical approach aids those new to the generation business
• Thoroughly covers the operation and maintenance of all plant types
• Discusses the generation industry in light of electric industry deregulation

Contents

Electricity

1. From frogs legs to microwaves
2. Generation is energy conversion

Planning and development of electric power stations

3. Classic considerations
4. Technology-driven changes
5. Fuels and fuels handling

Electric power generation

6. Prime movers; steam boilers, storage, and more
7. Furnaces and boilers
8. Steam turbines
9. Generators
10. Fossil-fired steam plants
11. Nuclear steam plants
12. Gas turbine plants and cogeneration
13. Hydroelectric vs. pumped storage
14. The alternative fuels: geothermal, wind, solar, tidal, and biomass generation
15. The future: building on what's been done

Maintenance, operation, and transmission and distribution

16. Maintenance
17. Operations
18. Transmission and distribution

Ecological and environmental considerations and safety

19. Cultural aspects
20. Safety first, last, and always

Appendix: Net generation from U.S. electric utilities by energy source, census division, and state
Glossary
Index

click here to see books • videos • cd-roms of related interest