Shaikh Zhayed University

Engineering Faculty
Electrical Engineering Department

Chapter 5
Non-Conventional Power
Generating Systems
Teaching Assistant. Mohammad Muslim HAQANI
Power plant Engineering , 1st edition by Dr. S.
Suyambazhahan
 5.1 SOLAR POWER PLANT
 In the solar power plant, solar energy is used to generate
electricity.
 Sunrays are focused using concave reflectors on to copper
tubes filled with water and painted black outside.
 The water in the tubes then boils and become steam. This
steam is used to drive steam turbine, which in turn causes
the generator to work for producing electricity.

2
Cont.
 There are three main types of concentrating solar power
systems:
1. parabolic-trough,
2. dish/engine,
3. power tower,
 Parabolic-trough systems concentrate the sun’s energy
through long rectangular, curved (U-shaped) mirrors.

3
Cont.
 A dish/engine system:uses a mirrored dish (similar to a
very large satellite dish).
 The dish shaped surface collects and concentrates the
sun’s heat onto a receiver, which absorbs the heat and
transfers it to fluid within the engine.
 The heat causes the fluid to expand against a piston or
turbine to produce mechanical power. The heat causes the
fluid to expand against a piston or turbine to produce
mechanical power.

4
Cont.
 A power tower system:uses a large field of mirrors to
concentrate sunlight onto the top of a tower, where a
receiver sits.
 This heats molten salt flowing through the receiver.

5
 Solar Power Tower’ Power Plant
 Thousands of sun-tracking reflectors or heliostats to direct and
concentrate solar radiation onto a boiler located atop a tower.
 The temperature in the boiler rises to 500–7000°C and the
steam raised can be used to drive a turbine,
 The concentration ratio (total mirror area divided by receiver
area) may be 1500.

6
Diagram of solar tower power plant
 ‘Distributed (Parabolic) Collector System’ Power Plant
This system uses a series of specially designed ‘Trough’
collectors which have an absorber tube running along their
length

(Parabolic) Trough Solar Power Plant Parabolic Solar Collector

7
 Solar Chimney Power Plant

8 Chimney Solar Power Plant

 Solar Photovoltaics
• Photovoltaic (PV) or solar cells refers to the creation of voltage
from light. A solar cell is a converter;
• There are many materials that can be used to make solar cells, but
the most common is the element silicon.

9
Solar power in home
 WIND POWER GENERATION
Introduction to Wind Energy
 Wind is the movement of air that possesses kinetic energy.
 This energy can be converted into electricity using windmills.
 It is considered a major clean and renewable energy source.
 Wind energy is sustainable and environmentally friendly.

10
Wind turbine Components
 Main Components of a Wind Energy System
 Blades: Rotate with the wind.
 Tower: Elevates the turbine for better wind exposure.
 Nacelle: Contains major parts (generator, shaft, gearbox).
 Other Equipment: Brake, cooling system, wind vane,
crane, anemometer.
 The system is complex but well-structured, as shown in
the diagram.

11
Efficiency and Capacity Factor of Wind Energy
 Wind turbines convert about 30% of wind energy into
electricity.
 Their capacity factor is around 25%.
 Coal power plants have a capacity factor of about 75%.
 Reason: Wind is seasonal and intermittent.
Global Examples (for Enrichment)
 Country | Generation (GW) | Avg. Capacity Factor
 USA | 148 | 37%
 China | 442 | 25–45%
 Germany | 69 | 30%+
 Denmark | – | 59%
 The USA produces 50% of the world’s wind electricity.
California alone operates around 16,000 wind turbines.
 Layout of wind Power Plant
• The following Figure shows the layout of single wind energy
system.

Layout of Wind Energy System

13
Type of Wind generation systems
⁂Three Main Types are:
i. - Fixed-Speed Generators
ii. -DFIG (Doubly Fed Induction Generator)
iii. -PM(Permanent Magnet) & EE(Electrical Excited) Generators

14
Cont.
Fixed-Speed Generators
✔ Advantages :
✔ Features : - Simple system
- Operate at a single constant speed - Low cost
- AC → DC → AC conversion ❌ Disadvantages :
- Uses GTOs and IGBTs - No flexibility
- Not suitable for variable sources

15
Cont.
Doubly Fed Induction Generator (DFIG)
- Speed and frequency control
 Features :
- Grid synchronization
- Dual power paths
❌ Disadvantages :
- Up to 2500 kW
- Complex system
- Rotor and stator exchange power
- Requires more equipment

16
Cont.
PM(Permanent Magnet) & EE(Electrical Excited) Generators

✔ Features :
- AC to DC to AC conversion
- Precise grid synchronization
PM Generators
- Ideal for variable sources

-An EE generator generating voltage controlled by excitation

EEGenerators
17
Wind Power
Wind power is gets from converting kinetic energy of the wind to
mechanical energy.
“Power density” in moving air is given by,

Note: Power increases with the cube of wind speed.

18
Mechanical Wind Power Formula

Where:
- ρ = 1.225 kg/m³ (air density at sea level)
- D: Diameter of wind turbine rotor (in meters)
- 𝑈𝑤 : Wind speed (in m/s)
This formula calculates the mechanical power available from
wind.

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TIDAL POWER GENERATION
- Tidal energy comes from the rise and fall of sea and ocean water
levels (tidal motion).
- This energy is converted into electrical energy using barrages or
other devices.

20
Cont.
Three Main Methods of Tidal Energy Generation
1. Tidal Barrages
2. Tidal Fences
3. Tidal Turbines

21
Cont.
Tidal Barrages
- Large dams built across rivers or estuaries.
- Contain tunnels for water flow.
- Turbines generate power from moving water.

22 Image of La Rance Tidal Power Station Rance Tidal Power Station

Cont.
 Tidal Fences and Tidal Turbines
1. Tidal Fences: Large gates with vertical-axis turbines; water
flows through and powers turbines.
2. Tidal Turbines: Underwater turbines similar to wind turbines;
designed to withstand strong tidal currents

23 \
GEOTHERMAL POWER PLANT
 Geothermal comes from the Greek words geo, meaning earth,
and thermo, meaning heat.

24 Geothermal power plant

Cont..
There are two ways of electric power production from geothermal
energy :
1. Heat energy is transferred to a working fluid which operates
the power cycle.
2. The hot geothermal water and/or steam is used to operate the
turbines directly.
• From the well-head the steam is transmitted by pipe lines up to
1 m in diameter over distances up to about 3 km to the power
station.

25
C.A.V Fuel Injection Pump
Geothermal Energy Conversion Systems
• Geothermal energy is the thermal energy extracted from within
the Earth.
• It is used through various systems to generate electricity.
• Generation capacities range from 100 kW to over 1000 MW.
• Main systems:
• - Single Cycle
• - Binary Cycle

26
Cont.
i. Single Cycle Geothermal Power Plants
• Requires working fluid at ≥150°C.
• Steam or superheated water is extracted from underground.
⁂ Types:
1. Dry Steam Systems
• - Steam directly piped from geysers to turbines.
• - Cheapest system but limited sources.
2. Flash Steam Systems
• - Superheated water is extracted from the ground.
• - Reduced pressure turns it into steam.
• - Steam runs the turbine; remaining water is reinjected.

27
Cont.

28 Geothermal Power Generation – Dry/Flash Steam Systems

Binary Cycle Geothermal Power Plants
• Used for water in the 100°C – 175°C range.
• Hot water passes through a heat exchanger.
• Transfers heat to a secondary working fluid (e.g., ammonia,
pentane).
• This fluid vaporizes → turns turbine → generates electricity.
• Vapor is condensed and reused

29
Binary Cycle Geothermal Power Plants
Cont.

Geothermal Power Generation—Binary System

30
Advantages of Binary Systems
• Contaminated water does not contact turbine system.
• Enables power generation from lower temperature
sources.
• Ideal for areas without high-temperature geothermal
reservoirs.
• Environmentally friendly and clean.

31
 Ocean Thermal Energy Conversion (OTEC)
 OTEC is a system that uses the temperature difference
between warm surface water and cold deep water in the ocean
to run a heat engine and generate electricity.

32 OTEC
BIOGAS GENERATION
Introduction to Biogas
 Biogas is a clean, renewable fuel produced by decomposition of
organic materials without oxygen (anaerobic digestion).
 Main component: Methane (CH₄).
Used for cooking, lighting, and electricity generation

33
 Biomass Energy Conversion Methods
 Bio-products: Convert biomass into chemicals (plastics, adhesives
 Biofuels: Convert biomass into liquid fuels (ethanol, biodiesel).
 Bio-power: Burn biomass or convert into gas/oil to generate
electricity.

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Bio-power
- Bio-power or electricity generation from biomass
- Use of biomass for power generation

Six types of
bio-power
systems:
• Direct firing
• Cofiring
• Gasification
• Anaerobic digestion
• Pyrolysis
• Small, modular systems
35
Cont.
Direct Firing and Cofiring
1. Direct Firing:
- Biomass is burned to produce steam, which drives a turbine and
generator
- Steam can also be used for production or heating buildings
- Example: Wood waste used in paper mills
2. Cofiring:
- Biomass used in coal-fired boilers
- Reduces sulfur dioxide emissions

36
Cont.
Gasification and Methane Production
3. Gasification:
- High temperature, low oxygen environment
- Converts biomass into gas (H₂, CO, CH₄)
- Gas turbine generates electricity

37
Cont.
4. Methane Production:
- Decomposition of organic matter
- Landfill wells, pipelines, filters
- Anaerobic digestion: bacteria decompose without oxygen
 Ways to use methane:
- Burned in boilers to generate steam
- Microturbines (25–500 kilowatts)
- Fuel cells: provide continuous
electricity

38
Cont.
5. Pyrolysis
- Biomass heated without oxygen
- Produces liquid fuel (Pyrolysis Oil)
- Oil is burned for electricity generation

39
Cont.
6. Modular Systems
- Capacity up to 5 megawatts
- Designed for villages and farms
- Use of waste materials and environmental benefit:
- A distributed energy source that improves grid stability,
efficiency, and reduces power

40
Biogas Plant Components
 Digester tank (where biomass decomposes).
 Mixing tank (where biomass is mixed with water).
 Outlet tank (collects leftover slurry).
 Gas storage system.

41 Floating Gas Holder Type Biogas Plant

 How Does It Work?
When the organic materials are mixed with water and
sent to the digester, special bacteria break it down in
the absence of oxygen.
This produces methane gas, which is a good fuel.
The gas can be used for cooking or lighting, and the
leftover slurry is used as fertilizer.

42
 Types of Biogas Plants:
1. Continuous Type:
- Fresh materials are added daily.
- Gas is produced regularly.
- Suitable for small households or villages.
2. Batch Type:
- Materials are added once, then the plant is left for 30–50 days to
complete digestion.
- Gas is produced after some time.
- Suitable for large-scale systems.

43
Fixed Dome Type:
- Made from bricks or mud.
- Gas collects in the dome at the top.
- Simple and low-cost design.

44
Cont.
Floating Dome Type:
- Has a floating steel dome that rises as gas fills.
- More expensive, but gas pressure is stable and easy to
manage.

45
FUEL CELLS
In a fuel cell, electrical energy is generated directly through the
electrochemical reaction of oxidant (oxygen from air) and fuels
(such as natural gas, methanol, or pure hydrogen) at two electrodes
separated by an electrolyte.

46
 Cont.
• Several types of fuel cells are currently under development.
A. low temperature fuel cells:
1. Alkali fuel cells (AFC): being used for a long time by
NASA on space missions, use alkaline potassium hydroxide
as the electrolyte.
2. proton exchange membrane fuel cell (PEMFC)
3. phosphoric acid fuel cell (PAFC)
B. High temperature fuel cells:
1. solid oxide fuel cells (SOFCs)
2. molten carbonate ones (MCFC)

47
 Cont.
• In general, fuel cells can be classified according to the type of
ionic conductor (electrolyte) they use and the temperature
range at which they operate.
• Figure provides a brief summary of various types of fuel cells.

48 Summary of Various Types of Fuel Cells

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