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Power Plant Electrical Fundamentals Training

Published by Scott Hommel at November 27, 2017
Operator performing equipment maintenance during Electrical Fundamentals Training

Do your power plant operators know their product?

In my experience, electric power plant operators generally have a good handle on basic boiler principles, air flow requirements, fuel BTUs, etc. But the megawatt output? Not so much. Should an electric power plant operator understand the commodity that he or she is creating: electrical power? I think it goes without question that the answer is a resounding yes. In reality, many operators are shy about discussing electrical theory because they are not confident in the subject matter.

As a test, ask your operators these questions:

  • Why is transmission voltage so high?
  • What is reactive power?
  • How does a transformer work?
  • How and why is the generator neutral grounded?
  • How is turbine rotor torque converted to electrical energy?
  • How is real power and reactive power transferred over the electric grid?

If your operators can only provide basic answers to these questions, they may not fully comprehend the very product that is the basis for your company’s revenue source. An operator can get by with such limited knowledge, but is that the best you should expect? Having a deeper knowledge of these electrical principles helps ensure a more effective response to plant problems and emergencies and also helps the power plant operators identify less-than-efficient operating practices, all of which helps maintain a better bottom line for your company.

Electrical fundamentals training for operators that focuses on power plant applications is just as important for operators as training in boiler principles or steam dynamics. A good power plant-specific electrical fundamentals training program should include:

  • Basic Electrical Principles
    • Ohm’s Law
    • Magnetism
    • AC versus DC
    • Single-Phase
    • Three-Phase
    • Wye and Delta Connections
    • Electrical Power and Power Factor
  • Fundamental Process of Generating Electricity
    • Electromagnetic Induction
    • Simple Generator Action
    • Power Generator Design and Construction
    • Interpreting a Generator’s Nameplate Ratings
  • Generator Operation and Control
    • Generator Synchronizing
    • Power and Frequency Control
    • Reactive Power and Voltage Control
  • Generator Protection
  • Basic Electric Grid Operations
    • Concepts of Real Power Transfer and Sharing
    • Concepts of Reactive Power Transfer and Sharing
    • Understanding the Generator Capability Curve

A course as described above, made site-specific for your operators and your plant, would allow all of your operators to provide in-depth answers to each of the above questions, plus many more. Your operators will have a new-found confidence in electrical theory as it pertains to your plant and will no longer shy away from this topic.

Scott Hommel
Scott Hommel
Scott Hommel is Vice President and Senior Project Manager at FCS. Following 10 years in the US Navy as an electrician in the Nuclear Power Program, Scott has spent the past 30 years developing procedures and designing and delivering training for the transmission & distribution, and power generation industries. Contact Scott at shommel@fossilconsulting.com for more information or if you have any questions.

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6 Comments

  1. Dwarka Prasad Kawde says:
    December 10, 2017 at 9:38 am

    I need Power Plant Electrical Fundamentals Training through online mode. Is is available? If it is, how can i access it?

    Reply
    • admin says:
      December 11, 2017 at 12:49 pm

      Thank you for your interest in FCS. We currently do not have online Power Plant Electrical Fundamentals Training available. At this time, our on-line training services are focused on custom and plant specific training. If you have the need for custom training services we would be happy to speak with you.

      Reply
  2. hgf says:
    February 27, 2020 at 5:55 am

    Very good post. I’m dealing with some of these issues as well..

    Reply
  3. Christchurch Electrician says:
    December 14, 2020 at 3:54 am

    I loved your blog and thanks for publishing this about power plant electrical fundamentals training!! I am really happy to come across this exceptionally well written content. Thanks for sharing and look for more in future!! Keep doing this inspirational work and share with us.They offer same information here Insightelectrical.co.nz one must check them also.

    Reply
  4. Electrician West Auckland says:
    December 16, 2020 at 4:58 am

    This is a brilliant post, thank you for sharing about powerplantelectricalfundamentalstraining. We always tend to change something or the other in our house, thanks for this great advice.

    Reply
  5. Electricians Pukekohe says:
    February 13, 2021 at 11:41 am

    You will get clear details from the power plant electrical fundamentals training in detail. I really loved it and thank you very much for sharing this with us. You have a great visualization and you have really presented this content in a really good manner.

    Reply

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