In many areas of the world, the governments maintain an electric network that can connect a number of electric generators by means of Power. This combination of Generators is called a "Power Grid". Users can buy the electricity directly from the Grid.
The basic component of Power transmission is a Transformer. Transformers can convert power from higher to lower voltages and viceversa. There are basically two types of transformers namely, Step-up and Step-down transformers. Electrical Substations are always present in a Power Grid to convert power to High voltages before transmission and to lower voltages after transmission.
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Basically Power Engineering is a network of Inter-connected parts which convert different types of energy to electrical energy.
There are three basic subsystems of of Modern Power namely,
- Transmission subsystem
- Generation subsystem
- Distribution system
These three systems produce the electricity, transmit it to load centers and transmit the power to the customers. Power generation means that the power is being transformed into electrical energy. Transmission system provides a means transporting electrical energy.
There are two types of transmission systems namely
- build transmission system
- sub-transmission system.
Power distribution system basically transports power from the transmission system to the user. As network systems are expensive so the distribution systems are normally radial. Voltage regulators, capacitors and relays are all components of the Control Equipment.
Job profile of power engineers
- Power Engineers basically maintain, operate and manage industrial plants which use equipment such as refrigeration units and boilers.
- Skills in Power Engineering are currently high in demand and many types of businesses and industries.
- Power Engineers are employed in a variety of industries including Electric power generation, metallurgical industries, Gas processing industries, Chemical manufacturing industries and Paper manufacturing industries. All these industries may use Boilers in their plant process. Depending on the Plant design, the equipment may be indoors or outdoors depending on the type of industry. Workers may also be exposed to Extreme temperature working conditions for some period of time especially in Summer. Employees in this occupation may be required at times to perform a certain amount of Physical activity including moving heavy objects such as chemical drums, vertical ladders etc.
- Power Engineers may also work on systems that do not connect to a grid. These systems are known as off-grid power stations and may be preferred to be used instead of on-grid systems due to a number of reasons. For example, it may be less expensive for a mine to generate its own power in remote locations rather than pay for the connection to the grid which is in no way practical. Nowadays, most grids have adopted three phase electric power with alternating current. The power is split before it reaches residential customers whose appliances require single-phase electric power. But many large industries and factories use three-phase electric power so that it can drive efficient electric motors such as the three-phase induction motors.
